YAMAHA DISPLAYS DIVERSITY AT NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FESTIVAL

—Yamaha Drums Used in All Musical Styles for 35th Fest —

BUENA PARK, CA (May 9, 2003)—New Orleans, the birthplace of Jazz, recently presented its 35th Jazz and Heritage Festival, showcasing artists from traditional Jazz, Pop, Dixieland, Zydeco and Blues on 12 stages. Yamaha Drums was the official drum company of the festival.

Inside The Blues Tent at New Orleans Jazz Fest

The April 24 - May 4 fest hosted hundreds of performers, including Fats Domino, Bob Dylan, Smokey Robinson, Lucinda Williams, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Ornette Coleman, John Hiatt, Gladys Knight, the O'Jays, LL Cool J, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Lil' Romeo, Angela Bofill, The Neville Brothers, India.Arie, Los Lobos, Los Hombres Calientes, Allen Toussaint, Vernel Bagneris (reprising his acclaimed role as Jelly Roll Morton), and The Hackberry Ramblers, who feature founding members from 1933.

"I have had several of the top drummers that have played at the festival raving about the sound of the drums," notes Ray Fransen, owner of Ray Fransen's Drum Center in Kenner, LA. "Especially the Oak Customs on the Conga and Heritage Stage."

Yamaha Drums a Hit at New Orleans Jazz Fest

The 2003 festival also featured a newly-added first day on Thursday, April 24, with the Louisiana Heritage Fair—the official name for all of the myriad festival activities, musical and otherwise, that unfolded at the historic Fair Grounds Race Course.

"These [Yamaha Drums] are the best sounding drums that I've ever had the pleasure of mic'ing," said a front of house engineer on the Blues Stage, "and several drummers have said that they're are the best sounding drums that they have ever played."

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.yamaha.com.