Fine. O.K. These words used to be superlatives. They used to mean “the best of the best.” Now when you ask someone “how are you doing,” and they reply “fine” or “O.K.,” it means average, not stupendous. One word that hasn’t lost its sheen is legendary. It defines someone that has made contributions that are well known and cannot be denied. In music, legendary is used to describe those whose art form would be irrevocably different if they had not walked this earth.

Am I thinking about legends because Ray Charles graces our cover? You bet. My highlight of the January 2003 Yamaha-NAMM Elton John tribute concert was Ray’s chilling version of “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word.” Ray Charles has touched and influenced millions of people during his six decades as a popular performer and recording artist. He is the only performer I can think of that is a major influence on modern Jazz, R&B, Rock, and Country.

I want to introduce you to the people here at Yamaha that work with legendary musicians. Our artist relations team of Joe Testa, Ken Dapron and Chris Gero work with musicians who have changed the music we hear.

Joe Testa is our Drum Artist Relations manager. He works with professional drummers all over the world to keep them happy playing their Yamaha drums. Steve Gadd, Roy Haynes and Elvin Jones are the first names that to come to mind when you think of legendary drummers. Steve Gadd has recorded and toured with hundreds of artists including Steely Dan (remember the first time you heard ‘Aja’?), Paul Simon, and James Taylor. His amazing style has influenced decades of drummers. Elvin Jones is maybe most famous for his work with John Coltrane, but his 40-plus solo albums also highlight a style that changed the perception in which a drummer approaches a song. Roy Haynes has played with jazz legends like Charlie Parker and Lester Young. His playing set the jazz world on its ear and influenced generations of people to pick up a pair of sticks.

Ken Dapron manages Yamaha Guitar Development in Hollywood, California. When I visited Ken in October, bassist Lee Sklar came by to visit. You probably can’t sit through an hour of radio time without hearing Lee. He has played on over 2,000 albums and toured with the likes of James Taylor and Phil Collins. His playing is amazingly melodic and set the standard for bassists. Nathan East is another legendary bassist that Ken’s team works with. You know Nathan from his work with his own band Foreplay or recording and touring with Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston. Lee and Nathan are two of the most recorded bassists in the world.

Chris Gero is Yamaha’s Corporate Director of Artist Affairs. The list of world-changing artists Chris works with could fill this page. But if we have to narrow the list to three: Elton John, Paul McCartney and, of course, Ray Charles.

Enjoy this issue of All Access. I hope your music will one day change the way we all listen to music.

Sincerely,

Tom Sumner
General Manager
Pro Audio & Combo Division
Yamaha Corporation of America