Yamaha Dazzles at Winter NAMM 2008
ANAHEIM, Calif. — At Winter NAMM 2008, Yamaha upheld its rich tradition of presenting the world's finest musical products and impressing attendees with electrifying concerts and ground-breaking events. Even those who did not attend the industry-only event could follow the action, as Yamaha was the only manufacturer to create a dedicated, multimedia Web site for the event, www.yamaha.com/namm, complete with photos, product showcases and streaming video.
"The innovation, artistry and excitement displayed at this year's show made it an exhilarating experience for Yamaha and its dealers," said Terry Lewis, executive vice president, Yamaha Corporation of America, Music Marketing Group. "Each NAMM show provides us with a unique opportunity to showcase to dealers—and music enthusiasts—the world's most outstanding musical products and talent. We all left the show energized by strengthened dealer relationships and a renewed commitment to make 2008 a highly successful year."
Yamaha Continues Unprecedented Award-Winning Streak
For an historic seventh consecutive year, the Yamaha Disklavier piano took top honors as "Product of the Year" in the Musical Merchandise Review (MMR) "Dealer's Choice" Awards. The remarkable performance-reproducing instrument finished ahead of 33 other products that received votes in the highly competitive category.
Yamaha acoustic pianos were additionally awarded "Acoustic Piano Line of the Year" honors and the company's Clavinova models, P Series and CP Stage Series instruments were collectively named "Pro Digital Keyboard Line of the Year." In addition, Music & Sound Retailer magazine presented its "Drum Kit of the Year" award to DTXPRESS IV. Awards were presented to company executives throughout the show.
 Yamaha artist John Legend headlined the 2008 Yamaha Corporate Concert. |
Yamaha Continues Unprecedented Award-Winning Streak
For an historic seventh consecutive year, the Yamaha Disklavier piano took top honors as "Product of the Year" in the Musical Merchandise Review (MMR) "Dealer's Choice" Awards. The remarkable performance-reproducing instrument finished ahead of 33 other products that received votes in the highly competitive category.
 Music & Sound Retailer editor Brian Berk (second from right) presents the award for Drum Set of the Year (for the DTXPRESS IV) to (l. to r.) Jim Haler, Product Manager, Yamaha Drums; David Jewell, Marketing Manager, Yamaha Drums; and Rick Young, Corporate Vice President/General Manager, Yamaha Corporation of America. |
Surprise Performance by Legendary Superstar at Dealer Concert
Disney California Adventure® Park's Hyperion® Theater provided a breathtaking backdrop for the annual Yamaha Dealer Concert on Friday, January 18. Headlined by superstar John Legend, the spectacular lineup included British jazz sensation Jamie Cullum, progressive rocker Jon Anderson (Yes) and VH1 "You Oughta Know" artist Sarah Bareilles, as well as Gabe Dixon and The Fray's Isaac Slade. Fresh from a recent U.S. tour, the legendary Stevie Wonder stunned the audience by making a surprise walk-on appearance and played a medley of his hits, including "I Wish," "Superstition," and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."
 Don Johnson, editor of MMR magazine (far right), presented the Dealer's Choice Award for Digital Piano Line of the Year to (l. to r.) Rick Young, Corporate Vice President/General Manager, Yamaha Corporation of America; Jim Levesque, Clavinova Marketing Manager; Dane Madsen, Marketing Manager, Digital Pianos and Paul Calvin, Vice President, Piano Division. |
To strategically showcase its offerings, Yamaha's Pro Audio and Combo Division (PAC) displayed in two different locations. The Music Production, Live Sound, Digital Pianos, Portable Keyboards and Accessory departments set up shop in the Marquis Ballroom at the Anaheim Marriott. A steady stream of visitors viewed the new products and listened to presentations by expert performers and technicians, while more than 70 leading music and technology reporters and editors took part in a media tour of the Division's products and programs. Notable product launches included the new YPG series of portable keyboards, the new Arius line of digital pianos and the new POCKETRAK 2G portable digital recording device.
Yamaha's Music Production department joined Garritan and MakeMusic! to announce a partnership that will provide integrated solutions for the music education market in the United States. The Music Education Software and Hardware (MESH) initiative brings together hardware, software, sound content and curriculum to provide compelling and complete turn-key solutions for today's music educators, who are often faced with an array of products that can be difficult to navigate and integrate. In addition to aggregating four major components of music education technology into a seamless bundle, the alliance will also provide training to U.S.-based teachers.
Yamaha Guitars and Yamaha Drums set up booths at the Anaheim Convention Center, Hall C, where monster bassist Billy Sheehan introduced his new four-string Signature bass (BB714BS), which he helped to design. New acoustic guitars presented included the CPX500 and two new models with flamed maple tops, the CPX500FM and APX500FM. Yamaha Drums rolled out a wide range of new equipment, such as the DTXTREME III Drum Kit, the new Hex Rack System™, and the top-of-the-line PHX Phoenix Drum Set. Additional Yamaha Guitar and Yamaha Drum Artist Autograph Sessions were held throughout the show.
Groove All Stars, the renowned concert produced by Yamaha Drums and held at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, featured 20 of the world's best drummers backed by a stellar house band.
On the annual Future of Music and Sound stage, Yamaha's Institutional and Commercial Services (ICS) Department presented The Music Classroom of the Future, a series of theatrical presentations highlighting active solutions and best practices for music education, powered by cutting-edge music technology from Yamaha and other partner companies. The mini-performances exhibited how Yamaha product-based solutions can educate, challenge and inspire the next generation of classical and contemporary musicians.
Yamaha's Band & Orchestral Division presented an energizing blast of funky brass to a vast crowd of NAMM attendees when it hosted a performance by the brass section of celebrated soul band Tower of Power on Thursday, January 17. The division also offered Yamaha Certified Sales Professional online training sessions throughout the show.
The Division unveiled several new products, including a newly enhanced line of Professional Series Flutes with a C# Trill Key Option and Type K Headjoint. Yamaha Winds displayed the new 441M Intermediate Oboe, as well as the new Advantage Trumpet and Advantage Clarinet. Yamaha Strings showcased the new, third generation SV-150K Concert Select Silent Practice Violin, which offers the ultimate in silent practicing, anywhere, anytime. Percussion displayed more than 20 new custom colors for its marching percussion products, along with the reintroduction of the environmentally-conscious 3100 Series Timpani.
The Yamaha Piano Division introduced an expanded line of elegant Modus Digital Pianos, some of which feature player piano-like moving keys. Disklavier 3.0, the latest upgrade for the Mark IV series, also made its debut, revealing such enhancements as the ability to capture performances as audio files, as well as expanded search and graphic features. The Clavinova digital piano line and the highly popular Silent Series pianos were also reintroduced at the show. New acoustic products on display included the GB1 series of compact designer Grands and new entry-level Cable-Nelson models. In addition, the Piano Division hosted a series of inspiring stage performances featuring the Clavinova CVP400 and the Modus digital piano.
Yamaha's Music Education Systems Division held its Junior Original Composer Concert Series on the Piano Stage in the Marquis Ballroom on Friday, January 18 and Saturday January 19, showcasing the extraordinary performance and composition skills of talented Yamaha Music School students.
The crowd enjoyed concerts featuring three accomplished young pianists, two of whom performed original compositions. Anna Han, 11, a student at the East Valley Yamaha Music School in Chandler, Ariz., performed "Imagination" for solo piano. Patrick McClure, 16, a pupil at the Fredericksburg Yamaha Music School in Fredericksburg, Va., performed "Revelation" on piano, with backing by Benjamin Brosche on a CVP-407 Clavinova, George Shelby on saxophone, P.J. Wyderka on bass and M.B. Gordy on drums. Megan Chang, 6, who studies at the Torrance Yamaha Music School in Torrance, Calif., also performed.
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mailinfostation@yamaha.com.
 Yamaha Piano Division Vice President Paul Calvin, Disklavier Marketing Manager Bill Brandom and Yamaha Corporation of America Executive Vice President Terry Lewis celebrate the Disklavier's seventh consecutive win as the MMR Dealer's Choice for "Product of the Year." |
Yamaha Guitars and Yamaha Drums set up booths at the Anaheim Convention Center, Hall C, where monster bassist Billy Sheehan introduced his new four-string Signature bass (BB714BS), which he helped to design. New acoustic guitars presented included the CPX500 and two new models with flamed maple tops, the CPX500FM and APX500FM. Yamaha Drums rolled out a wide range of new equipment, such as the DTXTREME III Drum Kit, the new Hex Rack System™, and the top-of-the-line PHX Phoenix Drum Set. Additional Yamaha Guitar and Yamaha Drum Artist Autograph Sessions were held throughout the show.
 Renowned Yamaha Vibraphone Artist Billy Hulting showed off his rock-like energy and innovative sound at Yamaha's Band & Orchestral booth at the 2008 Winter NAMM Convention. |
On the annual Future of Music and Sound stage, Yamaha's Institutional and Commercial Services (ICS) Department presented The Music Classroom of the Future, a series of theatrical presentations highlighting active solutions and best practices for music education, powered by cutting-edge music technology from Yamaha and other partner companies. The mini-performances exhibited how Yamaha product-based solutions can educate, challenge and inspire the next generation of classical and contemporary musicians.
 Walt Straiton, Manager of Music In Education with Yamaha Corporation of America's Institutional and Commercial Services Department, moderates the "Music Classroom of the Future" demonstration. |
The Division unveiled several new products, including a newly enhanced line of Professional Series Flutes with a C# Trill Key Option and Type K Headjoint. Yamaha Winds displayed the new 441M Intermediate Oboe, as well as the new Advantage Trumpet and Advantage Clarinet. Yamaha Strings showcased the new, third generation SV-150K Concert Select Silent Practice Violin, which offers the ultimate in silent practicing, anywhere, anytime. Percussion displayed more than 20 new custom colors for its marching percussion products, along with the reintroduction of the environmentally-conscious 3100 Series Timpani.
 Yamaha Junior Original Concert performers pose with senior Yamaha executives following the Saturday afternoon performance. Back row, l-r: Managing Director, Yamaha Music Foundation, Kazunobu Yamada, Yamaha Corporation of Japan President Mitsuru Umemura, Yamaha Corporation of America President Hogan Osawa and Yamaha Music Education Systems Manager Mike Morrell; Front row, l-r:, Patrick McClure, Benjamin Brosche, Anna Han and Megan Chang. |
Yamaha's Music Education Systems Division held its Junior Original Composer Concert Series on the Piano Stage in the Marquis Ballroom on Friday, January 18 and Saturday January 19, showcasing the extraordinary performance and composition skills of talented Yamaha Music School students.
The crowd enjoyed concerts featuring three accomplished young pianists, two of whom performed original compositions. Anna Han, 11, a student at the East Valley Yamaha Music School in Chandler, Ariz., performed "Imagination" for solo piano. Patrick McClure, 16, a pupil at the Fredericksburg Yamaha Music School in Fredericksburg, Va., performed "Revelation" on piano, with backing by Benjamin Brosche on a CVP-407 Clavinova, George Shelby on saxophone, P.J. Wyderka on bass and M.B. Gordy on drums. Megan Chang, 6, who studies at the Torrance Yamaha Music School in Torrance, Calif., also performed.
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mailinfostation@yamaha.com.