Tom Grant Joins Artist Roster
BUENA PARK, Calif. After three decades of masterfully blending jazz tradition and modern pop, Tom Grant has become an official Yamaha artist, an announcement that was made last May at a reception hosted by Classic Pianos of Portland. Approximately 100 of Grant's biggest fans came out to the intimate recital hall to congratulate him and mingle with the master instrumentalist.
The announcement was made by Maurice Unis, Classic Pianos Owner, and was followed by an unveiling of a Yamaha portrait of Grant. Guests enjoyed a private concert, complete with commentary from Grant on why he is excited to join the Yamaha family.
"It is like a breath of fresh air to be playing Yamaha pianos at this stage in my career," says Grant. "One thing I've noticed about Yamaha pianos over the years is that they just keep getting better and better. They are really clean and clear sounding and have sort of a crystal brilliance that records really well. I'm using a C7 conservatory grand piano in my recording studio right now and it just sounds gorgeous."
But it's not just the sound that drew Grant to Yamaha instruments. He also fell in love with the look and feel of the instrument, and even more importantly, the way the instrument made him feel.
"You get a real sense of power sitting at a Yamaha," says Grant. "It's hard to describe, but the touch is so even. It's the equivalent of driving a Ferrari."
Grant, known for his pop-influenced jazz numbers that have consistently topped the Smooth Jazz charts, performed many of his acclaimed songs at the reception on a Yamaha S6 grand piano. Requests were encouraged, adding to the intimate and unique experience.
"I played songs from some of my albums from the 80s as well as some favorites," comments Grant. "I also played Heidi's Song,' which was written for my daughter; it's a nice song that shows off the piano really well."
Grant may be a fairly new Yamaha artist (he was officially endorsed in January 2007), but he's not new to Yamaha instruments. In fact, he played a Yamaha piano in the '80s on what he describes as his most successful album to date, Mango Tango, which peaked at No. 9 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz Album charts in 1988.
These days Grant's upcoming projects once again take advantage of the musical range of a Yamaha piano. Grant hopes to be promoting his latest creation, a smooth jazz record, in the early part of 2008.
"A lot of the tracks have already been laid down with my Yamaha C7," says Grant. "I am also excited about a re-release of an old record in Japan with a bonus track using the Yamaha. My Japanese fans seem to be really excited that I'm playing Yamaha, so I'm hoping the enthusiasm makes for a really great show if I tour over there."
Grant is also currently organizing a big benefit concert, something he has become quite known for in his hometown of Portland, Oregon. The concert, slated for early December, will support Potluck in the Park, a nonprofit that provides meals once a week for hungry and disadvantaged people in the Portland area.
As a jewel in the Pacific Northwest's artist repertoire, Grant's career achievements reflect his unique ability to embrace the full spectrum of contemporary music and truly make the most of his musical career. His latest tie to Yamaha only reaffirms his desire to continue to produce chart-topping hits that nimbly walk the line between jazz tradition and modern pop.
 Tom Grant's official status as a Yamaha artist is revealed at a reception at Classic Pianos of Portland. |
"It is like a breath of fresh air to be playing Yamaha pianos at this stage in my career," says Grant. "One thing I've noticed about Yamaha pianos over the years is that they just keep getting better and better. They are really clean and clear sounding and have sort of a crystal brilliance that records really well. I'm using a C7 conservatory grand piano in my recording studio right now and it just sounds gorgeous."
But it's not just the sound that drew Grant to Yamaha instruments. He also fell in love with the look and feel of the instrument, and even more importantly, the way the instrument made him feel.
"You get a real sense of power sitting at a Yamaha," says Grant. "It's hard to describe, but the touch is so even. It's the equivalent of driving a Ferrari."
Grant, known for his pop-influenced jazz numbers that have consistently topped the Smooth Jazz charts, performed many of his acclaimed songs at the reception on a Yamaha S6 grand piano. Requests were encouraged, adding to the intimate and unique experience.
"I played songs from some of my albums from the 80s as well as some favorites," comments Grant. "I also played Heidi's Song,' which was written for my daughter; it's a nice song that shows off the piano really well."
Grant may be a fairly new Yamaha artist (he was officially endorsed in January 2007), but he's not new to Yamaha instruments. In fact, he played a Yamaha piano in the '80s on what he describes as his most successful album to date, Mango Tango, which peaked at No. 9 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz Album charts in 1988.
These days Grant's upcoming projects once again take advantage of the musical range of a Yamaha piano. Grant hopes to be promoting his latest creation, a smooth jazz record, in the early part of 2008.
"A lot of the tracks have already been laid down with my Yamaha C7," says Grant. "I am also excited about a re-release of an old record in Japan with a bonus track using the Yamaha. My Japanese fans seem to be really excited that I'm playing Yamaha, so I'm hoping the enthusiasm makes for a really great show if I tour over there."
Grant is also currently organizing a big benefit concert, something he has become quite known for in his hometown of Portland, Oregon. The concert, slated for early December, will support Potluck in the Park, a nonprofit that provides meals once a week for hungry and disadvantaged people in the Portland area.
As a jewel in the Pacific Northwest's artist repertoire, Grant's career achievements reflect his unique ability to embrace the full spectrum of contemporary music and truly make the most of his musical career. His latest tie to Yamaha only reaffirms his desire to continue to produce chart-topping hits that nimbly walk the line between jazz tradition and modern pop.