Tommy Igoe Signs With Yamaha Drums

BUENA PARK, Calif.— Tommy Igoe, one of the busiest drummers, performers, clinicians and educators in the music industry today, has signed with Yamaha Drums.

"Joining the Yamaha family is like coming home," said Igoe. "The first set I purchased on my own was a beautiful, white pearl lacquer Recording Custom kit. With all the gigs I played around New York, the set logged a lot of miles with me and always sounded flawless."

In addition to his solo projects and a weekly gig leading the vaunted Birdland Big Band in New York City, Igoe has performed and toured with Stanley Jordan, Art Garfunkel, Lauryn Hill, Dave Grusin, New York Voices, Patti Austin, David Wilcox and Blood, Sweat and Tears. He is also the principal drummer and associate conductor for the famous Disney production of "The Lion King" on Broadway.

Igoe has dedicated a significant portion of his career to drumming education. In 2004, he created Groove Essentials™, an influential series of books and DVDs. There are currently over a quarter-million Groove Essentials products in use around the world. His upcoming DVD and book, Fillosophy™, is the third installment in the Groove Essentials series.

Igoe's drum book for Disney's legendary Broadway musical, "The Lion King," integrates drum set grooves into the percussive African score. His technique DVD, Great Hands for a Lifetime, currently the drum world's number one selling educational product, highlights his influences, including Drum Corps, concert percussion and hand percussion.

"We look forward to working with Tommy to help raise the level of innovation within drum set education around the world," said John Wittmann, Manager of Artist Relations, Yamaha Corporation of America. "To have an artist of this caliber choose Yamaha Drums attests to the quality of our instruments and commitment to education."

In addition to Yamaha's PHX drum set, which will occupy his studio, he will perform on Yamaha acoustic drums at performances with the Birdland Big Band and "The Lion King" on Broadway. The kit at Birdland will become the club's house drums. Igoe will also play DTX electronic drums.

"There's a sound in my head – before I even play – that I want my drums to have," said Igoe. "With Yamaha drums, that sound becomes reality."

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Yamaha Drums, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; visit www.yamahadrums.com.