It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to start a sentence with: “Can you believe what Dana Leong is doing?”

He’s done more interesting and unique musical events and appearances than just about anybody we know, and his latest project is no different. Project Bandaloop is a troupe of aerial dancers (plus Dana) who perform while propelling off the exterior walls of a theater building. Dana even approached the Yamaha Technical Staff in New York about creating a microphone attachment for his Yamaha Trombone so he could perform without worry of the mic moving or slipping from his trombone.

Personally, we can’t wait for the undersea revival of “South Pacific” he’s no doubt working on next.

One of our favorite saxophone artists just released a cool new product, a songbook containing some of his compositions. But it’s not just the music, each songbook has a play-along CD with backing tracks and contains lead sheets for Bb, C and Eb instruments. His original compositions are really well done with a soul and spirit not usually found in today’s watered-down contemporary music.

Order the Michael Lington Songbook on his website.

Take a look at this interview Michael did with fellow Yamaha saxophone artist Dave Koz back in 2007 about breaking into the music business.

I’ve been meaning to write about this for a few days now.

Ten years ago, we never would we have imagined that bringing a few prototypes to the saxophonist with this cool, funky, eclectic group called Bela Fleck & the Flecktones would result in a great relationship with one of the world’s top musicians playing in one of the most popular bands on the planet.

Of course, we’re talking about Jeff Coffin.  And it was about 10-years ago this summer I brought out a couple of prototype YTS-82Z tenor saxophones for Jeff to try while the Flecktones were on tour in Los Angeles.  The saxophones were launched a few years later to an amazing response, and now Jeff is on tour with the Dave Matthews Band playing in front of 30,000 each night, still using one of the very first Yamaha YTS-82Z tenors he tried.  In the interest of full disclosure, his horn is actually called a YTS-862 (serial number 1004).  This was the prototype model number during the development stages.

Last week while Jeff was in town, we did a photo shoot with our favorite photographer Steve Anderson for an upcoming magazine article (he’ll be on the cover), and a Yamaha poster due out in October 2010.  Here’s a short video of the shoot, and yes…we had a lot of fun that day.

Jeff’s arsenal of instruments is about 99% Yamaha (we’re working on the clarinet part…) and during every DMB performance you can hear him on his 82Z tenor (and alto), YSS-62R soprano, YBS-62 bari and even a prototype gold-brass C flute that was never launched.

At the end of the day, Jeff is still the same saxophonist I showed some prototypes to in the dressing room of the Wiltern that summer day in 2000.  He genuinely has a passion for music, is always on quest to discover creativity, and one of the kindest individuals we have the pleasure to work with.

In case you’re never heard Jeff with the Dave Matthews Band, here’s a good place to start.

These (15) cryogenic treated YTR-8335RGS trumpets will be available through the dealers below:

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Anaheim Band Instruments (Anaheim, CA 800-540-4224)

Dunkley Music (Boise, ID 208-342-5549)

Gerry’s Music Shop (South Hadley, MA 800-724-7402)

High School Music (San Antonio, TX 800-275-4767)

Hillje Music (San Antonio, TX 866-808-2300)

Ken Stanton Music (Atlanta, GA 800-282-9011)

Lafayette Music (Lafayette, LA 337-984-3700)

Meyer Music (Blue Springs, MO 800-497-6696)

Mississippi Music (Hattiesburg, MS 800-844-2263 )

Rush’s Musical Services (Knoxville, TN 865-573-4138)

Tarpley Music (Amarillo, TX 800-658-9206)

Washington Music Center (Wheaton, MD 301-946-8808)

Williamson Music (Plano, TX 972-516-1331)

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These (15) instruments are especially interesting for a couple of additional reasons beyond the cryogenic treatment.  Each has been converted to stable synthetic valve felts and pads, and include a never-before-available feature…a gold trim kit.  The gold-plated valve buttons, caps and water key combine to add a beautiful and distinctive flair to this popular Yamaha trumpet.

Additionally upon receiving the instrument, the fortunate purchaser can contact Yamaha to receive some additional bonus items including:

* Coupon for a free Yamaha Trumpet Mouthpiece (up to $125 value)

* $15 iTunes gift card

* Yamaha double mouthpiece case ($49 value)

* EPH-50BL Yamaha ear-bud headphones ($99 value)

Los Angeles based Yamaha Trumpet Artist Tony Guerrero spent a few hours playing one of the cryogenic treated instruments and talking about the cryogenic process.  Watch the video below for more.

When watching the video above you may have noticed an audio analysis during the short demonstration.  We recorded the short line Tony played and ran an analysis on the tone – and came up with these conclusion.  When Tony played and held the low note in the line, the cryogenic treated trumpet had more -higher- and -mid- overtones present in the sound.  Additionally during the video Tony had several great comments related to how the cryogenic treated instrument responded much better in the higher and lower range.

Cryo Treated RGS (Low Note)

Stock RGS (Low Note)

When Tony played and held the high note in the line, the cryogenic treated trumpet had more -higher- overtones present in the sound.

Cryo Treated RGS (High Note)

Stock RGS (High Note)

Rather than taking our word and (somewhat un-scientific) analysis, contact one of the dealers listed on this post and try the horns for yourself.  And let us know what you think when you have a chance to play it.

Los Angeles based trumpet artist Wayne Bergeron is no stranger to most brass players.  Whether it’s playing lead with the Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band, or soaring lines for such movies at “Pirates of the Caribbean” or “Aladdin King of Thieves”, Wayne is constantly in demand as a soloist and studio musician.  Wayne has even participated in a couple of trumpet development projects, most importantly the YTR-8335LA launched a few years ago.

So when Wayne visited the the Yamaha Atelier Los Angeles in late July, he was no stranger to testing Yamaha trumpets, in fact, he’s probably a qualified as anybody to really know how each horn (he helped develop) should play.  Over the course of two hours Wayne played high, he played low, he played high, and he played even higher to ultimately find 15 instruments that met his highest professional standard.  These 15 instruments will be sold during the fall of 2010 through select Yamaha dealers in the United States.

DEALER LIST

Amro Music (Memphis, TN 800-626-2676)

David French Music (Westborough, MA 508-366-5994)

Dillon Music (Woodbridge, NJ 732-634-3399)

The Horn Guys (La Crescenta, CA 818.248.7550)

Mississippi Music (Hattiesburg, MS 800-844-2263)

Nazareth Music Center (Nazareth, PA 610-759-3072)

Sam Ash Music (Carle Place, NY 516-333-8700)

Sam Ash Music (New York, NY 212-719-2299)

Sam Ash Music (Tampa, FL 813-888-7876)

Summerhays Music (Murray, UT 800-662-6666)

Tarpley Music (Amarillo, TX 800-658-9206)

Volkweins Music (Pittsburgh, PA 800-553-8742)

Washington Music Center (Wheaton, MD 301-946-8808)

Each instrument was converted to synthetic valve pads and will ship with a sealed envelope containing the Certificate of Authenticity personally signed by Wayne Bergeron.  Additionally upon receiving the instrument, the fortunate purchaser can contact Yamaha to receive some additional bonus items including:

* Autographed photo from Wayne

* Coupon for a free Yamaha Trumpet Mouthpiece (up to $125 value)

* $15 iTunes gift card

* Yamaha double mouthpiece case ($49 value)

* EPH-50BL Yamaha ear-bud headphones ($99 value)

During the testing process, Wayne had a lot of great comments about Yamaha trumpets, and even shared a couple of great stories (watch the video for one). Watch the video below for more information about the selection process.

Yamaha has made a donation to a charity of his choice in recognition of Wayne’s participation in this project.

Few Yamaha Artists have been as involved in the design process as Bobby Shew has.  For nearly 30-years Bobby has left his mark on numerous Yamaha trumpet and flugelhorn models.  So when it came time to personally select some YTR-8310Z trumpets for a promotion, who better to ask then the master himself.

In early June, Yamaha trumpet guru Bob Malone traveled to New Mexico to meet up with Bobby, loaded up a van with 24 YTR-8310Z trumpets, and got down to business.  Over the course of an entire day, Bobby Shew played trumpets, Bob Malone switched out the valve felts and pads to synthetic materials and together they shared stories and experiences about trumpet design and development.

At the end of the day, Bobby selected 17 instruments that met his highest professional stands, and those 17 instruments will be available for sale through the dealers listed below:

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These personally selected instruments will be available at the following Yamaha dealers:

Allegro Music Center (Miami, FL 877-768-7287)

Amro Music (Memphis, TN 800-626-2676)

Bronstein Music (San Francisco, CA 800-231-3421)

C.A. House Music (Parkersburg, WV 800-951-5830)

Gadsden Music (Gadsden, AL 800-264-7228)

Mills Music (Bothell, WA 800-222-9998)

Music Man (West Palm Beach, FL 800-785-5367)

Port Huron Music (Port Huron, MI 810-984-5081)

Sam Ash Music (Carle Place, NY 516-333-8700)

Sam Ash Music (Indianapolis, IN 317-577-3006)

Sam Ash Music (New York, NY 212-398-6052)

Ted Brown Music (Tacoma, WA 800-562-8938)

Ward Brodt Music (Madison, WI 800-369-6255)

West Valley Music (Mountain View, CA 650-961-1566)

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In addition to a signed certificated of authentic, each trumpet received synthetic valve felts and pads and purchasers can contact Yamaha for some additional bonus items including:

* Autographed photo from Bobby

* Coupon for a free Yamaha Trumpet Mouthpiece (up to $125 value)

* $15 iTunes gift card

* Yamaha double mouthpiece case ($49 value)

* EPH-50BL Yamaha ear-bud headphones ($99 value)

During the testing process, we managed to get some great photos and video of the process.

In recognition for Bobby’s involvement in this project, Yamaha has made a donation in his name to a charity of his choosing.

In early June, Randy Brecker took time out of his crazy schedule to stop by Yamaha Artist Services Inc. in New York to personally test and select some trumpets for this promotion.  Certainly no stranger to the Yamaha Xeno Trumpets, Randy had been playing the YTR-8335 Xeno long before it was even available in the United States.

Over the course of 4-hours, Randy personally tested 23 individual instruments and selected 13 that met his highest professional standard.  These 13 instruments are now available for sale through select Yamaha dealers listed below!

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You can purchase one of these personally selected instruments at the following Yamaha Dealers:

Amro Music (Memphis, TN 800-626-2676)

Best Music (Oakland, CA 800-821-3557)

Dillon Music (Woodbridge, NJ 732-634-3399)

Hugo Helmer Music (Burlington, WA 800-714-7780)

Kennelly Keys Music (Lynnwood, WA 425-775-4226)

Melhart Music (McAllen, TX 956-682-6147)

Swicegood Music (Beaumont, TX 409-833-8603)

Wally’s Music Shop (Oregon City, OR 503-656-5323)

Washington Music Center (Wheaton, MD 301-946-8808)

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Each instrument was converted to synthetic valve pads and will ship with a sealed envelop containing the Certificate of Authenticity personally signed by Randy Brecker.  Additionally upon receiving the instrument, the fortunate purchaser can contact Yamaha to receive some additional bonus items including:

* Autographed photo from Randy

* Coupon for a free Yamaha Trumpet Mouthpiece (up to $125 value)

* $15 iTunes gift card

* Yamaha double mouthpiece case ($49 value)

* EPH-50BL Yamaha ear-bud headphones ($99 value)

During the testing process Randy had a lot of great comments about the Yamaha trumpets – and was amazed at the consistency of the instruments he tested.

Take a look at the photo album from the testing session.  Watch the video below for more information the testing process and some comments from Randy.

In recognition of Randy’s participation in this project, Yamaha will be making a donation to charity of his choosing.

“A Second Chance”

What if you had the ability to take another shot at a decision, opportunity, or moment?  How might choosing a different direction lead to alternate opportunities? Performing musical selections inspired by these possibilities, the corps’ repertoire includes the Second Symphonies of Mahler and Khatchaturian, Danzon No.2 by Marquez; as well as Elgar’s Nimrod, a classically reflective piece that hints at the Second movement of Beethoven’s Sonata Pathétique.  Conceptual motifs, a richly coordinated palette, and a touch of nostalgic detail will further illustrate this romantic, yet existential, theme.  Carolina Crown 2010 proudly presents: “A Second Chance.”

Repertoire:

Symphony No.2 ‘Resurrection”
by Gustav Mahler
Symphony No.2
by Aram Khatchaturian
Danzon No.2
Arturo Marquez
Nimrod ‘from Enigma Variations’
by Edward Elgar
Symphony No.2 ‘Resurrection’
by Gustav Mahler

Performing on lacquer brass instruments this year, Carolina Crown is an ALL Yamaha performing ensemble utilizing the following Yamaha Marching Brass instruments:

YTR-8335 Xeno Trumpet, YMP-204M Marching Mellophone
YBH-301M Marching Baritone, YEP-202M Marching Euphonium
YBB-202M Marching Tuba

For more information on Carolina Crown visit the corps website here.

Find Carolina Crown on Facebook

Follow Carolina Crown on Twitter

2010/2011 will be an exciting time for marching band fans across the world. Based on the Historically Black College & University Marching Band tradition, DRUMLine Live is an amazing entertainment event you won’t want to miss.

And…beginning in August on their tour to Japan, the entire cast of DRUMLine Live will be performing exclusively on Yamaha Wind Instruments and Percussion!

During 2010/2011 the show will visit Japan and Korea plus a 5-month tour across the United States.  Visit their website for a schedule of performance dates and locations.

Follow DRUMLine Live on facebook

Visit the DRUMLine Live Website

Visit the DRUMLine Live Japanese Website

Competition winner Johanna Rubsam (R) pictured with Yamaha Representative Jonathan Goldman (L)

This prestigious competition was held during the International Trombone Festival in Austin Texas, and features a brand new Yamaha YSL-882OR xeno trombone awarded to the winning trombonist.   Currently studying in Vienna Austria with renowned trombonist Ian Bousfield, Johanna (pictured above) was the proud recipient of a Yamaha trombone as the 2010 winner.

The Lewis Van Haney Orchestral Excerpt Competition was established in 1993 following the 1991 passing of the trombonist.  Van Haney graduated from the Eastman School of Music in 1942. He performed with the United States Army Band and was a member of the New York Philharmonic trombone section of the 1940s and 1950s. In 1963, he began a twenty-five year career at the Indiana University School of Music where he influenced a countless number of students, many of whom became famous trombone performers and educators.

Congratulations again to Johanna and all the Van Haney competition finalists.