The Eighth Laureate of the $50,000 Glenn Gould Prize is Dr. José Antonio Abreu: musician, economist, educator, politician and founder of the Foundation for the National Network of Youth and Child Orchestras of Venezuela (El Sistema). This remarkable arts education program reaches into some of Latin America's most dangerous and violent barrios to bring the transformative power of music and learning to children from ages two to 20. This system has brought the joy of achievement, the motivation to strive for personal growth and betterment, and the love of learning to children who would otherwise be part of a lost generation. In the last 20 years, Abreu's work has transformed the lives of over one million children.  In the process, it has produced some of the world's most exciting and inspiring musicians and ensembles, most notably the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela (SBYO).
 

For the month of May, the Music Industries Association of Canada (MIAC) is supporting Music Monday and the Coalition for Music Education in Canada with a very special promotion. Customers who purchase products in participating retail stores will be asked to donate one dollar to support this important advocacy program.

Yamaha is a proud supporter of the Coalition for Music Education in Canada. 

Bass trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1985, Douglas Yeo is a respected performer, teacher, writer and conductor.
His multi-faceted musical life ranges from performances on historical brasses (serpent, ophicleide and bass sackbut) to playing
concertos by John Williams and Chris Brubeck with the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Yamaha trombone artist William Carn will be taking his quintet on the road in April, with stops in Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver.  The group is embarking on this Western Canada trip to record a live CD at Vancouver’s celebrated jazz venue, "The Cellar".

In 2008, Yamaha Canada Music embarked on an ambitious campaign to create and develop drumline activity in Canada.   The “Start the Groove” project began with laying the foundation for a new market, including title sponsorships of two DCI events in the summer of 2008.  The Yamaha Canada Cup in Hamilton and the Yamaha Spectacle of Sound in Sudbury brought thousands of enthusiastic spectators to Ontario, showcasing the talents of hundreds of young percussionists from Canada, the US, and as far away as the Netherlands.
 

Hope this message finds you all well.

Following our JUNO Win for “DEBUT”, 2008 Jazz Album of the Year, I have relocated to NYC to study with Ron Carter (Miles Davis’ bassist).  An exciting start to the new year and a break from the cold, we performed at the International Jazz Festival in Haiti this past January and then jetted straight to Toronto where we finished up in the recording studio last week completing the second album to be released in May (Justin Time Records).  
 
And now the QUINTET is going back on the road!

Yamaha Artist Mike Downes continues a busy performing schedule with several groups.  After completing a highly successful tour with the Ted Warren Commission to promote the new CD, "Songs for Doug", Mike will be appearing with Ron Davis and Molly Johnson.