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Michael Hepworth<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n NAMM 2017 \u201cA Showcase of Different Musical Styles\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n By Michael Cohan, Music Journalist<\/em><\/p>\n Anaheim, CA (Perfect Music Today) 1-26-2017– Music, technology and awards again intertwined at the 32nd<\/sup> 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\u2019t 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\u2019s go to NAMM!<\/p>\n 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 \u201ckid in a candy store\u201d for years while at the Anaheim Convention Center. Robertson is best known for his writing with The Band penning such staples as \u201cThe Shape I\u2019m In\u201d and \u201cUp On Cripple Creek.\u201d He has also composed works for such films as \u201cRaging Bull,\u201d \u201cCasino,\u201d and \u201cThe King of Comedy.\u201d The epic rockumentary \u201cThe Last Waltz\u201d solidified The Band\u2019s place in music history.<\/p>\n 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 \u201cThis Is It\u201d 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 \u201cLivin\u2019 On A Prayer,\u201d \u201cLay Your Hands on Me,\u201d \u201cWanted Dead or Alive\/Midnight Rambler,\u201d and \u201cMaking History,\u201d a new song from their first album together which is coming out before their September tour. Orianthi laments, \u201cWe make music to make people happy and help people get through life.\u201d What a beautiful statement to express her \u201cSweet Emotion\u201d that fulfills their musical goals together. They will be performing songs from their collective categories.<\/p>\n Friday, Day 2 began wet and wild here in normally sunny Orange County. Instead of last year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The focus of tonight\u2019s 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\u2019 Mo\u2019bluesman 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, \u201cThe Journey Within\u201d from 2003 and \u201cMoving Forward\u201d 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\u2019s \u201cFly Like An Eagle\u201d and \u201cImagine\u201d by John Lennon.<\/p>\n His achievements have been many and his love of music shines more as he works closely in music education to further children\u2019s careers through \u201cLittle Kids Rock,\u201d 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, \u201cRhythms of the Game\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>. Back then the only Bernie Williams I knew was a baseball player. He has certainly graduated from \u201cCenterfield to Center Stage.\u201d Visit Bernie\u2019s world at http:\/\/www.bernie51.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Now it\u2019s 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 \u201cMovin\u2019 groovin\u2019 music.\u201d<\/p>\n 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 \u201cCalifornia Hurricane\u201d from 2015 and experience all things at http:\/\/www.GrooveSessionsmusic.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n From jazz to rock to blues, to gearheads, to musicians, to producers, NAMM continues to prove that it\u2019s 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 \u201cFamily reunion.\u201d In fact, this was the largest NAMM show in its 115-year history. Can\u2019t wait for 2018 to break the 2017 records!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Michael Hepworth<\/p>\n 287 S.Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211<\/p>\n www.perfectmealtoday.com<\/a><\/p>\n perfectmealtoday@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/twitter.com\/MrSpiritsman<\/a><\/p>\n www.spiritsman.com<\/a><\/p>\n mrspiritsman@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n www.perfectskintoday.com<\/a><\/p>\n perfectskintoday@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n www.perfecttraveltoday.com<\/a><\/p>\n perfecttraveltoday@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n www.perfectmealtoday.com<\/a><\/p>\n perfectmealtoday@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n www.perfectgolftoday.com<\/a><\/p>\n perfectgolftoday@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n www.perfectmusictoday.com<\/a><\/p>\n perfectmusictoday@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n www.champagnewinemaison.com<\/a><\/p>\n champagnewinemaison@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/alquimie.com.au\/publicatio<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/perfectmusictoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/imgres-35.jpeg\")
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