Winter NAMM 2003 Highlights
BUENA PARK, CA (January 23, 2003) — A major concert event, the debut of over 40 new products and a wide variety of performances made Winter NAMM 2003 in Anaheim, California one of the most successful shows in recent memory for Yamaha Corporation of America.
"This show was truly phenomenal," remarked Terry Lewis, senior vice president, Yamaha Corporation of America. "Winter NAMM is always a great way to begin a new year, but this show had many special elements that made it outstanding."
"This show was truly phenomenal," remarked Terry Lewis, senior vice president, Yamaha Corporation of America. "Winter NAMM is always a great way to begin a new year, but this show had many special elements that made it outstanding."
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L. to R. Yamaha's Bernie McCaffery, Terry Lewis & Paul Calvin accept MMR Award for Piano Line of the Year. |
Undoubtedly, one of those elements was "The 2003 NAMM Concert Honoring Sir Elton John: A Benefit for Music Education." Held at Anaheim's Arrowhead Pond arena with over 12,000 people in attendance, the spectacular concert was produced by Yamaha corporate director of artist affairs, Chris Gero, hosted by Eric McCormack of NBC TV's hit Will and Grace, and co-sponsored by Yamaha and NAMM. A variety of artists – including Nikka Costa, Vanessa Carlton, Ray Charles, Bruce Hornsby, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Michael McDonald, Rufus Wainwright, Take 6 and Brian Wilson – joined Sir Elton and band on stage to perform classic songs from his 34-year career. Sir Elton was also awarded The 2003 Lifetime Achievement in Musical Excellence Award from Yamaha.
"Yamaha was honored to bring Sir Elton John together with so many other great artists and appreciative fans," noted Yamaha's Chris Gero, show producer and corporate director of artist affairs. "This was an unforgettable and historic evening." Proceeds from the concert will benefit NAMM's music education charities.
Top musical artists participated in a number of other special events during NAMM. On Thursday evening, Yamaha's Band & Orchestral Division hosted "Red Hot Sax Nite," an invitation-only night of music featuring Phil Woods, Lennie Niehaus, Eric Marienthal, Gary Foster, Frankie Perez, George Shelby and Denis DiBlasio. Participants were available for an autograph session on Friday afternoon.
On Friday, Yamaha Guitars also hosted a signing with affiliated artists Michael Anthony of Van Halen, Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuk of Orgy, Meegs Rascon of Coal Chamber, Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls, Frank Gambale, Nathan East, Billy Sheehan and others. That evening, Yamaha Guitars co-sponsored the popular Acoustic Café, with an appearance by virtuoso Mark Goldenberg.
"Yamaha was honored to bring Sir Elton John together with so many other great artists and appreciative fans," noted Yamaha's Chris Gero, show producer and corporate director of artist affairs. "This was an unforgettable and historic evening." Proceeds from the concert will benefit NAMM's music education charities.
Top musical artists participated in a number of other special events during NAMM. On Thursday evening, Yamaha's Band & Orchestral Division hosted "Red Hot Sax Nite," an invitation-only night of music featuring Phil Woods, Lennie Niehaus, Eric Marienthal, Gary Foster, Frankie Perez, George Shelby and Denis DiBlasio. Participants were available for an autograph session on Friday afternoon.
On Friday, Yamaha Guitars also hosted a signing with affiliated artists Michael Anthony of Van Halen, Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuk of Orgy, Meegs Rascon of Coal Chamber, Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls, Frank Gambale, Nathan East, Billy Sheehan and others. That evening, Yamaha Guitars co-sponsored the popular Acoustic Café, with an appearance by virtuoso Mark Goldenberg.
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Yamaha Corporation of America President Mitsuru 'Mick' Umemura & Ray Charles. |
Friday and Saturday afternoons found young musicians from the Yamaha Junior Original Concert program offering live performances of their own original compositions in a pair of concerts emceed by Mike Garson and David Benoit.
On Saturday, Yamaha Drums presented what has become one of the most popular events of Winter NAMM, the "Annual Legendary Groove Night 4," at Santa Ana's Galaxy Theater. Hosted by Rick Marotta and Yamaha's Jerry Andreas, the evening showcased a roster of American and international drummers that included Michael Bland (Prince), J.D. Blair (Shania Twain), Dave Garibaldi, Amir "Questlove" Thompson (The Roots), Christian Meyer, John "JR" Robinson, Soul Toul and Dave Weckl. Many of the participants signed autographs in the booth the following day.
Yamaha's products and show presence garnered favorable attention in the media, with Los Angeles-area newspaper The Orange County Register running a full-length feature on the company in its "TechnoFiles" section. Trade publication Musical Merchandise Review recognized Yamaha as Best Band & Orchestral, Recording Equipment and Piano Lines of the Year for 2002; the P120 as Digital Pro Piano of the Year; and the Disklavier Series as overall Product of the Year. Music & Sound Retailer named the Oak Custom its Drum Product of the Year for 2002 and the AW16G the Workstation of the Year.
At the Yamaha booth, visitors were able to view new entries from the Pro Audio & Combo, Band & Orchestral and Piano divisions, as well as interact with Yamaha U.S. representatives, visiting artists and key executives from Japan. Throughout the NAMM show, Yamaha's display area in the Marquis Ballroom at the Anaheim Marriott welcomed dignitaries that included Yamaha Corporation of Japan President Shuji Ito, Yamaha Corporation of Japan Music Group Deputy Manager Noriyuki Egawa and Yamaha Corporation of America President Mitsuru "Mick" Umemura. The booth was also the scene of surprise visits by Bootsy Collins, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and guitarist Buckethead of Guns 'n Roses.
The DGA1E Playback Grand was one of many new introductions from the Yamaha Piano Division, bringing the sophisticated features of the Yamaha Disklavier to a low-profile, compact 4' 11" package. The CVP900 was also introduced by Yamaha's Piano Division. A top-of-the-line "grand-style" Clavinova which incorporates a lifelike "Natural Keyboard," the CVP900 features a new hammer action which allows users to feel the hammers and cushions as they play. Other product offerings included new entries in the Clavinova CVP200 Series, plus a selection of upright and grand piano models.
Digital Musical Instruments showcased a rack mount version of the popular Motif Music Production Synthesizer, featuring full 128-note polyphony and 48MB wave ROM. Also drawing interest was the P250 digital stage piano, a refinement of the legendary P200, with major upgrades designed to enhance its applications as a professional live performance or studio instrument. Accessories products showcased a completely new line of bags for keyboards and synthesizers. New five piece Maple, Birch and Beech Custom Absolute kits were the highlight from Yamaha Drums. The new kits give drummers even more choices, with mechanical upgrades and Universal dimensions, a variety of colors and the ability to mix woods for a truly custom look and sound.
Yamaha Guitars unveiled the latest addition to the "silent" family with the debut of the steel string SLG100S Silent Guitar. Like its nylon stringed counterpart, the SLG100S allows musicians to practice and perform in privacy using headphones. Other new products included the AES620 Electric and TRB6JP2 John Patitucci Signature electric bass.
The Portable Keyboard division drew a huge amount of attention with the EZ-EG Guitar and PSR K1. Hailed as "a new dimension in interactive music technology," the EZ-EG features 12 lighted frets that show beginners the actual hand positions for chords, six virtual "strings." The 61-key PSR K1 functions as a teaching keyboard and Karaoke system with its integrated microphone, vocal reverb and echo. Song lyrics and music notation will scroll across the large bit-mapped LCD screen in time to the music.
Yamaha Professional Audio added a new member to its digital mixer family with the introduction of the 96kHz capable 01V96. Like its predecessor, the 01V96 is an ideal mixer for small-to-medium permanent or mobile installations, with significant upgrades that include improved sound quality plus new computer and ADAT interfaces. The MG Series, a line of analog mixers, also drew considerable interest from both dealers and the pro audio media.
The Band & Orchestral Division displayed a line of entry-level acoustic violins with high-end specifications and student-friendly price points, plus new bows constructed entirely of carbon fiber. Perhaps the most popular products were the highly-anticipated Z Series alto and tenor saxophones. This line combines the body design of the 62 Series with the body material of the 875 Custom, and has already "converted" many renowned musicians to the Yamaha brand.
For more information on these new products and events, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622-6600; telephone (714) 522-9011 or e-mail: infostation@yamaha.com.
On Saturday, Yamaha Drums presented what has become one of the most popular events of Winter NAMM, the "Annual Legendary Groove Night 4," at Santa Ana's Galaxy Theater. Hosted by Rick Marotta and Yamaha's Jerry Andreas, the evening showcased a roster of American and international drummers that included Michael Bland (Prince), J.D. Blair (Shania Twain), Dave Garibaldi, Amir "Questlove" Thompson (The Roots), Christian Meyer, John "JR" Robinson, Soul Toul and Dave Weckl. Many of the participants signed autographs in the booth the following day.
Yamaha's products and show presence garnered favorable attention in the media, with Los Angeles-area newspaper The Orange County Register running a full-length feature on the company in its "TechnoFiles" section. Trade publication Musical Merchandise Review recognized Yamaha as Best Band & Orchestral, Recording Equipment and Piano Lines of the Year for 2002; the P120 as Digital Pro Piano of the Year; and the Disklavier Series as overall Product of the Year. Music & Sound Retailer named the Oak Custom its Drum Product of the Year for 2002 and the AW16G the Workstation of the Year.
At the Yamaha booth, visitors were able to view new entries from the Pro Audio & Combo, Band & Orchestral and Piano divisions, as well as interact with Yamaha U.S. representatives, visiting artists and key executives from Japan. Throughout the NAMM show, Yamaha's display area in the Marquis Ballroom at the Anaheim Marriott welcomed dignitaries that included Yamaha Corporation of Japan President Shuji Ito, Yamaha Corporation of Japan Music Group Deputy Manager Noriyuki Egawa and Yamaha Corporation of America President Mitsuru "Mick" Umemura. The booth was also the scene of surprise visits by Bootsy Collins, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and guitarist Buckethead of Guns 'n Roses.
The DGA1E Playback Grand was one of many new introductions from the Yamaha Piano Division, bringing the sophisticated features of the Yamaha Disklavier to a low-profile, compact 4' 11" package. The CVP900 was also introduced by Yamaha's Piano Division. A top-of-the-line "grand-style" Clavinova which incorporates a lifelike "Natural Keyboard," the CVP900 features a new hammer action which allows users to feel the hammers and cushions as they play. Other product offerings included new entries in the Clavinova CVP200 Series, plus a selection of upright and grand piano models.
Digital Musical Instruments showcased a rack mount version of the popular Motif Music Production Synthesizer, featuring full 128-note polyphony and 48MB wave ROM. Also drawing interest was the P250 digital stage piano, a refinement of the legendary P200, with major upgrades designed to enhance its applications as a professional live performance or studio instrument. Accessories products showcased a completely new line of bags for keyboards and synthesizers. New five piece Maple, Birch and Beech Custom Absolute kits were the highlight from Yamaha Drums. The new kits give drummers even more choices, with mechanical upgrades and Universal dimensions, a variety of colors and the ability to mix woods for a truly custom look and sound.
Yamaha Guitars unveiled the latest addition to the "silent" family with the debut of the steel string SLG100S Silent Guitar. Like its nylon stringed counterpart, the SLG100S allows musicians to practice and perform in privacy using headphones. Other new products included the AES620 Electric and TRB6JP2 John Patitucci Signature electric bass.
The Portable Keyboard division drew a huge amount of attention with the EZ-EG Guitar and PSR K1. Hailed as "a new dimension in interactive music technology," the EZ-EG features 12 lighted frets that show beginners the actual hand positions for chords, six virtual "strings." The 61-key PSR K1 functions as a teaching keyboard and Karaoke system with its integrated microphone, vocal reverb and echo. Song lyrics and music notation will scroll across the large bit-mapped LCD screen in time to the music.
Yamaha Professional Audio added a new member to its digital mixer family with the introduction of the 96kHz capable 01V96. Like its predecessor, the 01V96 is an ideal mixer for small-to-medium permanent or mobile installations, with significant upgrades that include improved sound quality plus new computer and ADAT interfaces. The MG Series, a line of analog mixers, also drew considerable interest from both dealers and the pro audio media.
The Band & Orchestral Division displayed a line of entry-level acoustic violins with high-end specifications and student-friendly price points, plus new bows constructed entirely of carbon fiber. Perhaps the most popular products were the highly-anticipated Z Series alto and tenor saxophones. This line combines the body design of the 62 Series with the body material of the 875 Custom, and has already "converted" many renowned musicians to the Yamaha brand.
For more information on these new products and events, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622-6600; telephone (714) 522-9011 or e-mail: infostation@yamaha.com.
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