NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 26, 2006) — Yamaha dealers were treated to an exceptional night of entertainment at the 2006 Yamaha Dealer Concert at The NAMM Show on Friday, January 20. The unforgettable evening was held at the Hyperion® Theater located in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area of Disney"s California Adventure® park at the Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, Ca. The stellar line-up included superstars
Brian Wilson,
Sarah McLachlan,
Natalie Cole, Al Jarreau, k.d. lang and
Gavin DeGraw with American Idol"s
Randy Jackson serving as host.
"We are fortunate to be able to offer our valued dealers a unique thank you for their continued support of Yamaha. It is because of the special relationships with our Yamaha artists and their love of Yamaha products that we can produce extraordinary nights such as this one," comments Chris Gero, show producer and director of Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs.
The evening began with platinum selling Gavin DeGraw belting out hits such as "Chariot," "I Don"t Wanna Be," and "Follow Through." k.d. lang followed with mesmerizing renditions of songs including "Constant Craving," "Hallelujah," and "Don"t Smoke in Bed."
Jazz crossover legend Al Jarreau lent his silky voice to well-known tunes including "We"re in This Love Together," the energetic "Boogie Down," "Cold Duck Time," and "Take Five." Natalie Cole, daughter of legendary Nat "King" Cole, wowed the audience with "Unforgettable" accompanied by a video screen of her father singing along. Other Cole songs included "Fever," "Route 66," and "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)."
Sarah McLachlan then showed off her amazing piano stylings and guitar playing skills with hits such as "Angel," "Building a Mystery," and "Adia." Closing the show was Rock "N Roll Hall of Fame member Brian Wilson singing Beach Boys favorites including "Good Vibrations," "California Girls," and "Surfin" USA."
The encore featured the evening"s performers joining Wilson on "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "Barbara Ann," while the audience danced along and gave the artists a standing ovation.
The performers were backed by a veritable who"s who of musicians, and legendary bassist
Nathan East was the show"s musical director and bass player. Band members included: Luis Conte (percussions), Mike O"Neil (guitar), Dean Parks (guitar), Greg Phillinganes (keyboards), Dave Delhomme (keyboards),
Russ Miller (drums), Brandon Fields (saxophone), Greg Vail (saxophone), Dan Fornero (trumpet), Harry Kim (trumpet), Arturo Velasco (trombone), Stephanie Alexander (vocals), Amy Keys (vocals), Valerie Pinkston (vocals), Caroline Campbell (violin), Neel Hammond (violin), Han Oh (viola), and Vanessa Freebairn-Smith (cello).
