Ernie Isley
*Anaheim – Tens of thousands of music aficionados and I braved rainy day weather to attend The NAMM Show 2013 in Anaheim,January 24-27,2013.
I had the pleasure of attending this massive event on Friday,January 25th.This event was produced by the National Association of Music Merchants-(NAMM)-the non-profit association.
The NAMM Show 2013 featured a plethora of guitars,amps,sheet music,music related apps,mandolins,accordians,memorabilia,sound gear etc.The NAMM Show also attracts many well known musicians from various genres of music.
Stepping into the Convention Center,one can easily become overwhelmed by the joyous sounds of voices singing,beautiful melodies of various instruments,thundering of drums and percussion,the wailing of saxophones and trumpets and thumping of the bass,just to name a few.
I got a good work out walking throughout the three floors of the exhibit halls as well as the adjacent ballrooms of the Hilton Hotel and Marriott Hotel.I almost have the routine down to a science in order to benefit the most from attending the NAMM Show 2013.
Various jazz musicians were present to perform,sign autographs,meet and greet fans,share some insight into their playing techniques,or try out the latest instruments,gear etc.
I saw the following musicians during my rounds including Victor Wooten, Eric Mariental, Ernie Watts,Steve Oliver, Sekou Bunch, Frank Gamble, Brian Bromberg, Jacques Lesure, Bob Mintzer, John Pisano and George Benson.
Take 6
Believe it not, several bands performed a full set of music.I was able to relax and enjoy the Kevin Peter Jones Jazz Band.They performed outdoors on the Main Stage.The band consisted of Kevin Peter Jones on drums,Brandon Fields on saxophone,Ernest Tibbs on bass, Jeff Richmond on guitar and Gary Fukushima on keyboards.The crowd and I received a heavy dose of jazz,funk and soulful grooves during their set.The band performed “The Chicken,” “It’s On,” “Boomtown,” and concluded their tight set with “Stratus.” Azami Ueda a dynamic young piano player from Japan dazzle the crowd during her solo performance with a splendid arrangement of “Take the A-Train,” and “Speak Low.”
I concluded my enjoyment of The NAMM Show 2013 with another incredible event.Marking 10 years of advocacy for music education,the NAMM Foundation’s Support Music Coalition gathered at a special celebratory event and live webcast from NAMM Show 2013 on Friday,January 25.The event features speeches,awards presentations and performances by Bernie Williams,former Major League Baseball Player for the New York Yankees/Latin-Grammy nominated jazz guitarist, music education advocate. He performed material from his CD as well as a wonderful arrangement of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The event also featured Take 6, the most-awarded a-cappella vocal group in history and to celebrate music education.The band is celebrating their 25th Anniversary with a global tour.
For more information about NAMM,visit www.namm.org,for more information about The NAMM Foundation, www.nammfoundation.org or The Support Music Coalition www.supportmusic.com.
Ricky Richardson is a Southern California based music reviewer,writer and photographer.Contact him via: liltampared@netzero.net.