–
Michael Hepworth
NAMM 2017 “A Showcase of Different Musical Styles”
By Michael Cohan, Music Journalist
Anaheim, CA (Perfect Music Today) 1-26-2017– Music, technology and awards again intertwined at the 32nd annual NAMM international trade show this past weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California. At the core, the Power of Music, as it is evidence of the growing popularity of using technology to further the musician by synthesizing musicianship and furthering the evolution of technological advancements. But along the way we don’t want music metamorphosing into an all – electronic sound or the opposite which would be a digression into a tribunal feel. Music has come way too far to even harbor that kind of thinking. Those demographics exist and so does all the other kinds of music; jazz, classical, rock & roll, heavy metal, etc. positioned somewhere in between. To even think that kind of assumption of merging two styles that are completely at either end of the spectrum is not the way the World of Music exists. So, without due, let’s go to NAMM!
Thursday morning started day 1 off with President Joe Lamond awarding the highest honor at NAMM, the Music for Life Achievement Award to Robbie Robertson. The 73 year old Robbie always says he feels like a “kid in a candy store” for years while at the Anaheim Convention Center. Robertson is best known for his writing with The Band penning such staples as “The Shape I’m In” and “Up On Cripple Creek.” He has also composed works for such films as “Raging Bull,” “Casino,” and “The King of Comedy.” The epic rockumentary “The Last Waltz” solidified The Band’s place in music history.
The kickoff main event concert outside on the Nissan Grand Plaza Stage was none other than Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi and his new partner in life and rock Australian singer Orianthi who has also performed with Prince and Michael Jackson on his ill-fated “This Is It” tour and was also a member of Alice Cooper. Their collaboration, aptly titled RSO, showcased classic material from his 30 year career with Bon Jovi. Included were classics “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “Lay Your Hands on Me,” “Wanted Dead or Alive/Midnight Rambler,” and “Making History,” a new song from their first album together which is coming out before their September tour. Orianthi laments, “We make music to make people happy and help people get through life.” What a beautiful statement to express her “Sweet Emotion” that fulfills their musical goals together. They will be performing songs from their collective categories.
Friday, Day 2 began wet and wild here in normally sunny Orange County. Instead of last year’s clear and warm temperatures, it poured all morning. My first stop was to go see my buddies with the Pianoarc. Always on board and ready for some romping on the keyboard, I corralled over to watch and listen in awe again to the circular electronic piano extraordinaire Brockett Parsons. More on the Pianoarc, Brockett Parsons, and further descriptions of his beautiful creation in another article at Perfectmusictoday.com.
The focus of tonight’s special 6 pm concert was the smooth jazz and blues of returning most valuable musician from the New York Yankees Bernie Williams & his All Star band with special guests Poncho Sanchez on the congas and Keb’ Mo’bluesman extraordinaire. The inclement weather forced them inside settling into the more intimate Hilton Pacific Ballroom. This became evident quickly as the band pulsed the crowd with their soulful brand of jazz and blues. Everybody was swaying to the music from his two albums, “The Journey Within” from 2003 and “Moving Forward” from 2009. This year also saw him nominated for a Latin Grammy award. He and his dynamic band are working on album three which they also performed throughout the night. They put their Latin-y jazz feel to the classics from Steve Miller’s “Fly Like An Eagle” and “Imagine” by John Lennon.
His achievements have been many and his love of music shines more as he works closely in music education to further children’s careers through “Little Kids Rock,” a national non-profit organization that delivers instruments and teaches them about life outside their disadvantaged school districts. In 2011, he came out with his aptly titled book, “Rhythms of the Game” with a forward by Paul Simon. In the same year Williams was featured on the cover of Making Music Magazine to discuss his life and career in music. On May 13, 2016 he received his Bachelor of Music from the Manhattan School of Music.
After all the clouds cleared from my ears I was Bernie-satiated as I have been before when I had the pleasure to interview him and hear his band outside two NAMM years ago. See all my NAMM articles and rock concert reviews at http://www.perfectmusictoday.com. Back then the only Bernie Williams I knew was a baseball player. He has certainly graduated from “Centerfield to Center Stage.” Visit Bernie’s world at http://www.bernie51.com.
Now it’s time to meander my way back down to the first floor main bar where the Hilton Front Stage is getting ready to showcase local talent for the NAMM-A-HEADS. The GrooveSessions trio of Sarven Manguist on keyboards, and brothers Ronnie and Manny Sanchez respectively on bass and drums are about to hit the stage. These guys are extremely talented as they performed their multi-faceted sound of what they call “Movin’ groovin’ music.”
Their quest is to achieve a rebirth, a renaissance of sorts, of encompassing an innovative flowering new blend of musical styles. GrooveSessions are dynamic and magical and have the ability to make fire with music. They are a true throwback to the good old fashioned rock band with a funky flare and a positive message. Check out their new album “California Hurricane” from 2015 and experience all things at http://www.GrooveSessionsmusic.com.
From jazz to rock to blues, to gearheads, to musicians, to producers, NAMM continues to prove that it’s only their show that facilitates the largest continuum every year. This year saw over 100,000 music products professionals congregate here at the Anaheim Convention Center for their “Family reunion.” In fact, this was the largest NAMM show in its 115-year history. Can’t wait for 2018 to break the 2017 records!
Michael Hepworth
287 S.Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
http://twitter.com/MrSpiritsman
http://alquimie.com.au/publicatio
Very interesting subject, thanks for posting. “I am convinced that life in a physical body is meant to be an ecstatic experience.” by Shakti Gawain.
I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
Would love to constantly get updated outstanding web blog! .
There is apparently a bunch to realize about this. I believe you made some good points in features also.
kuwin sở hữu kho game đa dạng từ slot đến trò chơi bài đổi thưởng, mang đến cho bạn những giây phút giải trí tuyệt vời.
iwin – nền tảng game bài đổi thưởng uy tín, nơi bạn có thể thử vận may và tận hưởng nhiều tựa game hấp
采用高效谷歌站群策略，快速提升网站在搜索引擎中的可见性与权重。谷歌站群
It is really a great and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Khám phá thế giới giải trí trực tuyến đỉnh cao tại MM88, nơi mang đến những trải nghiệm cá cược thể thao và casino sống động.
利用强大的谷歌蜘蛛池技术，大幅提升网站收录效率与页面抓取频率。谷歌蜘蛛池
Would you be enthusiastic about exchanging links?
This is a topic close to my heart cheers, where are your contact details though?
Hello, i believe that i noticed you visited my web site so i came to “return the choose”.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my website!I guess its adequate to make use of a few of your concepts!!
You made some first rate factors there. I seemed on the web for the problem and found most individuals will go together with along with your website.
I have not checked in here for a while since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
Tham gia cộng đồng game thủ tại Go88 để trải nghiệm các trò chơi bài, poker phổ biến nhất hiện nay.
You made some decent factors there. I looked on the web for the issue and located most people will go along with with your website.
Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my site . Thanks =)
There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.
This website online is really a stroll-by way of for all the information you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll undoubtedly uncover it.
Lovely blog! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am bookmarking your feeds also
My developer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on numerous websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another platform. I have heard good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!
I’d have to examine with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a post that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!