Yamaha Partners With the Jazz Foundation of America To Provide Drumsets For New Orleans Musicians
BUENA PARK, Calif. — When the Jazz Foundation of America approached Yamaha Drums to help New Orleans-area musicians who had lost everything, David Jewell, marketing manager, and Jim Haler, product manager, wasted no time giving to the cause.
"New Orleans is the cradle of jazz — we can't let the music die there," said Jewell. "This was the least we could do to help some of the musicians who nurture a unique American contribution to the world."
Based in New York City, the Jazz Foundation of America has assisted nearly 900 Katrina-effected musicians and their families, from replacing "Fats" Domino's piano to covering rent and mortgage payments.
"The amazing folks at Yamaha made it possible for us to get high-quality drum kits to over thirty of New Orleans's greatest drummers," said Wendy Oxenhorn, executive director, Jazz Foundation of America. "Yamaha helped put New Orleans back to work because many of those drummers are now working in our Agnes Varis Jazz Foundation in the Schools program, which has employed over 200 musicians in schools across the eight states where they have been forced to settle."
On May 4, the foundation held its fifth annual "Great Night in Harlem" concert at the world-famous Apollo Theater, hosted by Bill Cosby and Danny Glover. Musicians appearing at the event included James Blood Ulmer, Ron Carter, Odetta, Harold Mabern, Ron Carter, Ben Riley, Gary Bartz, Johnnie Mae Dunson and Elvis Costello. Other performers, including Davell Crawford, Kermit Ruffins, the Newbirth Brass Band, and the Original Liberty Jazz Band, among others, flew up from New Orleans expressly to participate in the concert.
"To everyone at Yamaha," said Oxenhorn, "thank you for keeping the music going."
For more information on Yamaha Drums, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Drum Products, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone 714-522-9011; email infostation@yamaha.com; or visit yamahadrums.com.
About Yamaha:
Yamaha Corporation of America manufactures a complete line of musical instruments, professional audio products, customer-driven support products and computer-based products targeted to both the amateur and professional markets.
 Dr. Michael White (on clarinet) and the Original Liberty Jazz Band flew up from New Orleans to perform at the event.
Photo: Enid Farber |
Based in New York City, the Jazz Foundation of America has assisted nearly 900 Katrina-effected musicians and their families, from replacing "Fats" Domino's piano to covering rent and mortgage payments.
"The amazing folks at Yamaha made it possible for us to get high-quality drum kits to over thirty of New Orleans's greatest drummers," said Wendy Oxenhorn, executive director, Jazz Foundation of America. "Yamaha helped put New Orleans back to work because many of those drummers are now working in our Agnes Varis Jazz Foundation in the Schools program, which has employed over 200 musicians in schools across the eight states where they have been forced to settle."
On May 4, the foundation held its fifth annual "Great Night in Harlem" concert at the world-famous Apollo Theater, hosted by Bill Cosby and Danny Glover. Musicians appearing at the event included James Blood Ulmer, Ron Carter, Odetta, Harold Mabern, Ron Carter, Ben Riley, Gary Bartz, Johnnie Mae Dunson and Elvis Costello. Other performers, including Davell Crawford, Kermit Ruffins, the Newbirth Brass Band, and the Original Liberty Jazz Band, among others, flew up from New Orleans expressly to participate in the concert.
"To everyone at Yamaha," said Oxenhorn, "thank you for keeping the music going."
For more information on Yamaha Drums, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Drum Products, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone 714-522-9011; email infostation@yamaha.com; or visit yamahadrums.com.
About Yamaha:
Yamaha Corporation of America manufactures a complete line of musical instruments, professional audio products, customer-driven support products and computer-based products targeted to both the amateur and professional markets.
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