USC AND YAMAHA JOIN FORCES

—Concert Celebrates New Relationship; Features Chancler, Field and Erskine—

BUENA PARK, CA (April 4, 2003)—In February 2003, Yamaha Drums and the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music celebrated a new relationship with a concert featuring works composed and arranged by students of the Jazz Studies Department. The concert featured artist/faculty members Ndugu Chancler, Gregg Field, Peter Erskine and Jamey Tate, performing with the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra to a sold-out crowd.

(L to R) USC-Thornton Jazz Orchestra director Shelton Berg, with drummers Gregg Field, Peter Erskine, Ndugu Chancler and Jamey Tate gather 'round one of the new Oak Custom kits.

The USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra is an 18-piece ensemble comprised of a select group of students from the Thornton School, under the direction of Jazz Studies Department chair Shelton Berg, an accomplished jazz pianist, composer and arranger.

"This concert had special significance," notes Joe Testa, artist relations manager, Drum products, Yamaha Corporation of America, "in that Yamaha is now associated with a high-profile music program such as USC-Thornton, and that the featured faculty are all Yamaha drum artists and some of the industry's most sought-after musicians."

Two Yamaha Oak Custom and two HipGig models were used during the performance.

"We love the drum sets," stated Berg. "The HipGigs can be easily moved around to suit our needs, and they sound fabulous. And of course, the Oak Custom sets sound incredible in our concert halls. We have a peerless jazz percussion faculty of Peter Erskine, Ndugu Chancler, and Gregg Field. The fact that they're all Yamaha artists is a testament to Yamaha drums. The Jazz Studies department is very appreciative of the support, and we look forward to many collaborative events."

Chancler's credits include work with Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Lionel Ritchie and Thelonius Monk, John Lee Hooker, Herbie Hancock, Hugh Masekela and Michael Jackson. Field has worked with Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Gloria Estefan, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole and Vince Gill. Erskine has performed with world-class jazz ensembles the Stan Kenton Orchestra and Weather Report. Graduate student/regional artist Tate is an active sideman and session player in the Los Angeles area.

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