Jan 22 2012

Yamaha: Advancing The Art Of Drumming For 45 Years

Company Creates Several Industry Standard Products; Continues Fruitful Collaborations With Musicians |Rochester drums | Examiner.com.

Since 1967, Yamaha Drums has set the standard for innovation in the drumming world. The process of manufacturing drum shells begins with select woods. Introducing precision processing that combined a staggered diagonal seam with the Air-Seal System, which puts even pressure on the shell’s inner surface to create a perfectly round shell with uniform thickness and excellent durability, Yamaha created a revolution in drum manufacturing.

From there, the company made its mark with the legendary Recording Custom set, known as the most recorded drum set in history, which established a pinnacle in sound and quality. Three years ago, Yamaha Drums introduced the flagship PHX kit, a hybrid shell that includes hard, resonant jatoba and kapur wood never before used in a drum kit. The PHX’s adoption by several of the world’s great drummers attests to its quality. Since then, Yamaha continues to introduce new products that excite drummers and music fans, including the Rock Tour, Club Custom and an overhauled Absolute line. Yamaha even re-designed its hardware to provide increased operability, stability and durability.

Hardware inventions include the hideaway cymbal boom arm, locking hi-hat clutch, a ball joint tom mount that rotates 360 degrees and interchangeable pipe diameters to provide maximum flexibility in hardware set-up. Yamaha high-performance lugs ensure ease of use and the Yamaha Enhanced Sustain System (YESS) creates a high-resonating shell. At this year’s NAMM show, Yamaha also introduces the new HexRack II, the lightest, strongest drum rack in the business.

Of course, Yamaha couldn’t do it alone: the company receives support, input and guidance from drumming legends and a huge list of well-respected performers and instructors from every genre of music, including Carter Beauford, Keith Carlock, Billy Cobham, Dave Garibaldi, Roy Haynes, Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan, Dafnis Prieto, ?uestlove and Dave Weckl.

“Created in conjunction with musicians, Yamaha Drums has never scrimped on the creation of its drums, including acoustically engineered designs and the skills of the company’s master craftsmen,” said David Jewell, marketing manager, Yamaha Drums, Pro Audio & Combo Division. “With the inspiration of our artists, Yamaha Drums will continue to our mission of blending new technology with rich history to create incomparable instruments and experiences far into the future.”

One of the most high-profile drummers that plays Yamaha Drums is Rochester, NY’s own Steve Gadd. According to his bio on Yamaha’s website,

“Steve Gadd is one of the most sought-after studio musicians, in the world.”

Gadd attended the Manhattan School of Music for two years, then finished at Eastman School of Music. Before that, he studied privately with Bill and Stanley Street and John Beck. He established himself with another Rochestarian, Chuck Mangione, then spent three years in the Army prior to coming to New York and doing studio work in 1971.

Steve Gadd is one of the most sought-after studio musicians, in the world. Regarded as the most influential drummer in contemporary music, Gadd can play anything, easily bridging different musical styles. His feel, technique, and musicality on such tunes as Paul Simon’s “Fifty Ways”, Steely Dan’s “Aja”, and Chick Corea’s “Nite Sprite” were so awe-inspiring and his concepts so innovative that they instantly assured his special position in the history of the percussive arts.

He rapidly rose to prominence on the studio scene and has since played with a wide variety of artists, including Carly Simon, Phoebe Snow, Aretha Franklin, Al DiMeola, Stanley Clarke, Rickie Lee Jones, Tom Scott, Frank Sinatra, and Stuff.

After a period of touring and recording with his own band, the Gadd Gang, he provided the spark that ignited Paul Simon’s South African inspired, Grammy Award-winning recordings and dynamic live touring band.

Today, Gadd is as busy as ever, balancing frequent recording dates with a hectic touring schedule. Some artists include Eric Clapton, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Joe Sample, and jazz piano virtuoso Michel Petrucciani.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com or visit http://4wrd.it/yamahadrums.

Related articles

Leave a comment