ANAHEIM, Calif. — International, multi-platinum R&B sensation Alicia Keys and the world's largest musical instrument manufacturer, Yamaha, are partnering together to develop piano-inspired sounds and future products. The first of Keys' signature sounds will be introduced at Winter NAMM on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. in the Anaheim Marriott Marquis Ballroom, followed by a free impromptu concert by the 11-time Grammy Award winning Yamaha artist.

Yamaha Artist Alicia Keys

"I'm very excited about the endless possibilities we can manifest together, creating sounds, technology and products that will truly inspire the next generation of great artists," says Keys.

NAMM guests are invited to come by the Yamaha booth and see one of the best-selling artists of the decade! Singer/songwriter/actress Keys has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide since the release of her first studio album Songs in A Minor in 2001. With 11 Grammy Awards (and three more current nominations), 17 Billboard Music Awards, 5 American Music Awards, and a recent fourth consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, it's no wonder she was recently inducted into the Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists List.

"Keys is a shining star in our Yamaha artist family, and we are thrilled to partner with her for this exciting new project," comments Chris Gero, vice president of Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs, Inc. "This marks only the beginning of exciting future product development between Alicia and Yamaha."

After the unveiling of the line of signature sounds, Keys, known for her soulful ballads and anthems and her distinctive contralto voice, will perform a few of her biggest hits, live, in the middle of the Yamaha exhibit in the Marquis Ballroom, on the brand new AvantGrand piano.

Keys has been playing Yamaha products since 2004 - for tours, television performances, awards ceremonies and music videos. Two custom-painted purple grand pianos were provided by YCAA for her videos to "No One" and "Karma" and a custom white upright piano was provided for "Another Way to Die", the theme song for the latest James Bond movie Quantum of Solace. Keys is currently on tour with a Yamaha DGT7 grand piano.

For more information on Yamaha artists or the extensive Yamaha product catalog, please visit www.yamaha.com or www.ycaa.com.