MAKE HOLIDAY MUSIC WITH YAMAHA MANU KATCHE HIPGIG JR.

—Young Players and Gigging Pros Can Play on the Go—

BUENA PARK, CA (January 12, 2004)—This holiday season, give the little drummer boy or girl on your list the gift of music with the Yamaha Manu Katche Hipgig Junior.

Set up and Play With Manu Katche

Named for drumming sensation Manu Katche, this functional, professional kit lives up to the established, portable HipGig product line with convenience and great sound. When Katche asked, "Why don't you make a real drum kit for kids?" Yamaha answered with the small-size, low-cost Hipgig Junior—a perfect set for youngsters, but great for any drummer who wants an excellent sounding, portable compact kit.

The Katche set consists of a solid 16-in. diameter by 16-in. bass drum, complete with Yamaha's distinctive floating bass drum system and newly designed bass drum lift, a pair of toms (10 x 7-in. rack and 13 x 13-in. floor) and a lively 12 x 5-in. snare drum. Hardware includes a drum throne, hi-hat stand, bass drum pedal, snare drum stand and two cymbal stands.

Constructed of durable, high-quality 9-ply Philippine Mahogany, the kits are available in four eye-catching finishes: Night Black, Marine Blue, Silky Silver and Sun Yellow. The HipGig Jr.'s snare and toms are equipped with Remo UT heads, and the bass drum with Renaissance PowerStroke-type heads.

"The HipGig Jr. has incredible sound, portability and Yamaha quality—all in one package," says Dave Jewell, marketing manager, Yamaha Drums. "When this kit was introduced, we were really thrilled that an artist like Manu Katche wanted to pen his name to a drum set that has all the features that he and other drummers want and need. It's truly a set that works for everyone, from young kids to senior citizens."

Paris-born Katche is one of the world's most popular drum artists, maintaining a constant schedule of clinics, session work and touring. His innovative playing style and steady grooves can be heard on the landmark Peter Gabriel albums So and It's About Time, plus critically acclaimed Sting releases Nothing Like the Sun, Soul Cages, Brand New Day and 2003's Sacred Love. Katche has worked with Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, Dire Straits, Tori Amos and a variety of international acts in both recording and live performance capacities.

For more information on the Manu Katche HipGig Jr. portable drum set, 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.yamaha.com.