Josh Groban Chooses Yamaha Pianos
BUENA PARK, CA (December 2, 2005) — Josh Groban’s musical journey has already included two multi-platinum selling albums, duets with greats such as Celine Dion and Barbara Streisand, and performing in front of one billion television viewers worldwide at the 2002 Winter Olympics closing ceremonies. And for the 24 year old, that journey is only just beginning.
Most recently, this journey has literally led him around the world as Groban just completed his first tour. In the beginning he was uncertain about being away from family and friends for so long and the physical stamina the road demands night after night. However, in the end he described the experience as “so much fun,” and he can’t wait to go on tour again.
“Being able to see the world, to sing to people all over the world, was the greatest gift I’ve ever been given,” says Groban.
Memorable performances included special nights at Madison Square Garden, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and New Orleans. Another unforgettable concert was in South Africa, where Groban performed in the pouring rain in front of 12,000 enthusiastic people – or “Grobanites,” as his fans affectionately dub themselves.
Groban was born and raised in Los Angeles, and his parents made sure he was exposed to all the theater and concerts the city had to offer. He caught the musical bug early in life due in large part to his parents’ enthusiasm and appreciation of music.
“I’ve loved music ever since I was a little kid,’ he says. “Before I can remember, I was singing songs for my parents when I was very, very little.”
Groban’s love for the piano soon followed.
“Piano was the first thing I decided to try and learn,” he recalls. “I started playing piano when I was five or six. I got my ear from my dad, so I can listen to things and play by ear.”
Piano was a natural and instinctive choice for Groban. “There was always a piano around,” he explains. “My grandmother had a piano; my mom and dad always had a piano. If I was ever feeling something and wanted to get a melody down, one I couldn’t get out of my head, it was where I could sit down and get it all out. I was kind of drawn to it.”
Graduating from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and attending the Interlochen Arts Program, Groban realized as a teenager this was becoming more of a career choice than simply a hobby.
David Foster, producer/songwriter and 14-time Grammy® Award winner, led Groban to Yamaha pianos as a teen. Foster was friends with Groban’s vocal coach and discovered Groban when he sang at the 1999 California Gubernatorial Inauguration.
Groban says that through Foster, “I fell in love with Yamaha pianos and their sound and the way they respond.”
Going on his first tour, Groban needed to choose just the right instruments, and he says “there was no question Yamaha was the perfect sound for me.” Groban uses a Yamaha Disklavier® DC7A and raves about how it can make “a classical sound or a pop sound – the response on the keys is great.”
Groban proudly uses other Yamaha products as well. When warming up in the studio, Groban and his vocal coach use a Yamaha P250 Professional Stage Piano. He is also a big fan of the Yamaha MOTIF.
“I’m in the process of building a home studio in my new house, and I’m definitely going with the MOTIF as the primary keyboard. It has a great sound and musicality to it. When you need a separate sound or style to inspire you, you turn to the synth, and it’s definitely one of the greatest ones out there.”
It is difficult to categorize Groban’s unique sound produced from his enchanting baritone voice and Yamaha pianos. He has sung classical, pop and in four different languages. Groban says not fitting in to a specific category definitely has its pros and cons.
“It’s a tough thing to kind of blend genres, but for me I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s what inspires me; it’s the kind of music that I love. I feel for my voice and for the musicality that I have, it’s the perfect kind of music that I’m doing. And to be one of those people that’s kind of doing something new, it’s a great challenge, but it’s also so much fun.”
With two multi-platinum albums under his belt, 2001’s self-titled debut and 2003’s Closer, Groban is busy working on a third album now. He is ready to take more chances, write more songs on his Yamaha piano, and do some musical experimenting.
“I think the next album will be hopefully what fans have enjoyed on the last two, but I still want to do some more exploring, and sit down at that piano more,” he says. “Because for me, when I’m able to sit down at the piano and play, there’s just something that comes out that’s even more grounded than when I’m just standing there singing.”
Groban is hoping for a May or June 2006 release, followed by another tour.
Music isn’t the only path this talented young man is going to take. “Theater was my first dream and my first love,” says Groban. “I’ve always had a huge calling to the theater, and I hope to go back to it.” Groban was a Carnegie Mellon musical theater major, but dropped out to work on his first album.
Broadway is certainly calling Groban, but he is also reading film scripts for roles both with and without a musical element. Some might even be surprised to learn that his dream is to one-day host Saturday Night Live.
Groban’s journey will undoubtedly be a long and varied one, and Yamaha will be there all along the way. “When I sit down at the piano, I just feel it,” he says. “It’s the response; it’s the sound. I’ve always thought Yamaha has made brilliant pianos, and I hope to play them for the rest of my life.”
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.
 Josh Groban |
“Being able to see the world, to sing to people all over the world, was the greatest gift I’ve ever been given,” says Groban.
Memorable performances included special nights at Madison Square Garden, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and New Orleans. Another unforgettable concert was in South Africa, where Groban performed in the pouring rain in front of 12,000 enthusiastic people – or “Grobanites,” as his fans affectionately dub themselves.
Groban was born and raised in Los Angeles, and his parents made sure he was exposed to all the theater and concerts the city had to offer. He caught the musical bug early in life due in large part to his parents’ enthusiasm and appreciation of music.
“I’ve loved music ever since I was a little kid,’ he says. “Before I can remember, I was singing songs for my parents when I was very, very little.”
Groban’s love for the piano soon followed.
“Piano was the first thing I decided to try and learn,” he recalls. “I started playing piano when I was five or six. I got my ear from my dad, so I can listen to things and play by ear.”
Piano was a natural and instinctive choice for Groban. “There was always a piano around,” he explains. “My grandmother had a piano; my mom and dad always had a piano. If I was ever feeling something and wanted to get a melody down, one I couldn’t get out of my head, it was where I could sit down and get it all out. I was kind of drawn to it.”
Graduating from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and attending the Interlochen Arts Program, Groban realized as a teenager this was becoming more of a career choice than simply a hobby.
David Foster, producer/songwriter and 14-time Grammy® Award winner, led Groban to Yamaha pianos as a teen. Foster was friends with Groban’s vocal coach and discovered Groban when he sang at the 1999 California Gubernatorial Inauguration.
Groban says that through Foster, “I fell in love with Yamaha pianos and their sound and the way they respond.”
Going on his first tour, Groban needed to choose just the right instruments, and he says “there was no question Yamaha was the perfect sound for me.” Groban uses a Yamaha Disklavier® DC7A and raves about how it can make “a classical sound or a pop sound – the response on the keys is great.”
Groban proudly uses other Yamaha products as well. When warming up in the studio, Groban and his vocal coach use a Yamaha P250 Professional Stage Piano. He is also a big fan of the Yamaha MOTIF.
“I’m in the process of building a home studio in my new house, and I’m definitely going with the MOTIF as the primary keyboard. It has a great sound and musicality to it. When you need a separate sound or style to inspire you, you turn to the synth, and it’s definitely one of the greatest ones out there.”
It is difficult to categorize Groban’s unique sound produced from his enchanting baritone voice and Yamaha pianos. He has sung classical, pop and in four different languages. Groban says not fitting in to a specific category definitely has its pros and cons.
“It’s a tough thing to kind of blend genres, but for me I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s what inspires me; it’s the kind of music that I love. I feel for my voice and for the musicality that I have, it’s the perfect kind of music that I’m doing. And to be one of those people that’s kind of doing something new, it’s a great challenge, but it’s also so much fun.”
With two multi-platinum albums under his belt, 2001’s self-titled debut and 2003’s Closer, Groban is busy working on a third album now. He is ready to take more chances, write more songs on his Yamaha piano, and do some musical experimenting.
“I think the next album will be hopefully what fans have enjoyed on the last two, but I still want to do some more exploring, and sit down at that piano more,” he says. “Because for me, when I’m able to sit down at the piano and play, there’s just something that comes out that’s even more grounded than when I’m just standing there singing.”
Groban is hoping for a May or June 2006 release, followed by another tour.
Music isn’t the only path this talented young man is going to take. “Theater was my first dream and my first love,” says Groban. “I’ve always had a huge calling to the theater, and I hope to go back to it.” Groban was a Carnegie Mellon musical theater major, but dropped out to work on his first album.
Broadway is certainly calling Groban, but he is also reading film scripts for roles both with and without a musical element. Some might even be surprised to learn that his dream is to one-day host Saturday Night Live.
Groban’s journey will undoubtedly be a long and varied one, and Yamaha will be there all along the way. “When I sit down at the piano, I just feel it,” he says. “It’s the response; it’s the sound. I’ve always thought Yamaha has made brilliant pianos, and I hope to play them for the rest of my life.”
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.
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