Yamaha Drums a "Hit" at Jazz Fests

BUENA PARK, CA (July 2, 2004) — With the spring/summer concert season in full swing, Yamaha Drums are, once again, the choice for a number of famous jazz festivals. Yamaha was a repeat performer at the 2004 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, providing kits for the event's 12 stages as the exclusive drum company.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival showcases artists from traditional jazz, African, pop, Dixieland and Zydeco on multiple stages. This year's performers included a lineup of legends, international stars and roots-music heroes Harry Connick, Jr., Lenny Kravitz, Smokey Robinson, Branford Marsalis, Bonnie Raitt, Dave Brubeck, B.B. King, the Neville Brothers, Shaggy, Emmylou Harris, the Steve Miller Band, Macy Gray, Etta James, Hugh Masekela Allstar Musical Tribute to South Africa, Robert Cray, Dianne Reeves, Dr. John, Blind Boys of Alabama, Buckwheat Zydeco, Steve Winwood and Wyclef Jean.

A highlight on the Acura main stage was a Birch Custom set, decorated with the Jazz Festival design and painted by Yamaha drum artist and former Tubes rhythm man Prairie Prince.

"The festival has an official design that appears on all the posters, T-shirts and marketing materials, and this year we were able to obtain it for the kit," said Dave Jewell, Yamaha Drums marketing manager. "Prairie's known for his visual art as well as his drumming, so this Birch Custom was a great addition for the show and for the people who got to play it."

Yamaha is also the official drum company for the Playboy and Monterey Jazz festivals.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Drum Products, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.