Trumpet Artist Wayne Bergeron

Wayne Bergeron

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Wayne Bergeron's latest album project. Featuring interviews with L.A. band mates and trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson, this 20 minute episode will make you feel as if you were there.

Hear Wayne discuss his involvement in the development of the new Yamaha YTR-8335LA trumpet, his thoughts on big band trumpet playing and the inside scoop on his new album. Check out www.waynebergeron.com for additional info on Wayne Bergeron.

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Trombone and Cello Artist Dana Leong

Dana Leong

Dana Leong is a prodigious anomaly of the highest order. By the age of 8, Dana was already performing and competing internationally on the cello and trombone. When Dana won an audition to perform with the 1997 and 1998 Grammy High School All Stars and Boys II Men, he was introduced to Will Smith, Gwen Stefani and Diddy. "After seeing the magnitude of New York City and the wonderful impact these artists had, I wanted to be a musician for life," he says. Since his entrance into New York City in 1998, Dana has been sprinting steadily through the ranks of the music scene. 

At the ripe age of 25, Dana has held roles as a performer on stage and in the studio as well as a composer and producer with top performers in almost every musical genre such as: The 2006 Grammy Nominated Jazz Chamber Trio led by Paquito D'Rivera (where Leong now fills a chair frequented by Yo-Yo Ma,) Ray Charles, Diddy, Kanye West, Matisyahu, Norah Jones, Earth Wind and Fire, Barry White, Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, Lauryn Hill, Alanis Morrisette, Zap Mamma, Wynton Marsalis, Yoko Ono, Boyz II Men at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards, Dark Latin Groove at Shea Stadium NYC, Christian McBride and the Balkan Beat Box. 

He was also invited to perform at Bing Crosby's house. On screen, Dana has acted and performed on screen in a number of different settings such as Steven Spielberg's feature film "The Terminal," Robin Williams's "August Rush," NBC's "Law and Order," "The Today Show," and with The Roots "Live at Wetlands." Dana has even performed for fashion shows and high fashion events by Alexander Hercovitch and Dianne von Furstenberg. Dana's sound is a fusion of computerized electronic hip-hop funk rhythms and rock propulsions. While playing the cello or trombone, Dana also uses his laptop onstage to integrate electronic soundscapes.

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Clarinet Artist Bil Jackson

 Bil Jackson

Bil Jackson enjoys a varied musical career that includes solo, orchestral, and chamber music performances. Currently principal clarinet with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and the Aspen Chamber Symphony, Mr. Jackson has performed as principal clarinetist with the Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Cincinnati, and Honolulu orchestras, and, has appeared as a soloist with the Colorado, Honolulu, Denver, Charlotte, Dallas Chamber, and Aspen Chamber orchestras.

Mr. Jackson is currently professor of clarinet at the University of Northern Colorado and on the Artist-Faculty of the Aspen Music Festival. Join Yamaha Product Manager Jeff Hawley as he chats with Bil about the history of the orchestral clarinet in the United States and the development of the Yamaha YCL-CSG clarinet. 

Feel free to send your comments and suggestions to bandandorchestra@yamaha.com. 

Also - if you have time, we'd appreciate you filling out a short 2-minute survey about the Yamaha Podcasts on the www.yamaha.com/podcasts webpage.

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Clarinet Artist Dan St. Marseille

  Dan St. Marseille

Jazz saxophone and clarinet recording artist Dan St. Marseille plays in the tradition of all the jazz legends. Employing a warm tone and melodic approach, he has won praise from jazz critics worldwide. Dan's recordings are heard internationally on jazz radio and have been the subject of articles in such publications as Downbeat, Jazztimes, Los Angeles Times, Japan's Jazz Critic magazine, among others. Three of St. Marseille's CD's received four star ratings in the third edition of the All Music Guide To Jazz - The Experts Guide To The Best Jazz Recordings. 

In addition to local and national tours, Dan has performed in Europe, Canada and many jazz clubs and festivals including a headline performance at the prestigious Coleman Hawkins Festival in Topeka, Kansas. Dan's own composition "Claxography", written for renowned jazz photographer William Claxton, was chosen as the title of Claxton's new book of photographs. In May of 2001, Dan was the music director for an international event entitled "Clickin' With Clax" at the Los Angeles County Museum Of Art. "Swinging With The Saint", Dan's latest album, features jazz clarinet in many roles - from traditional gospel tunes to contemporary Herbie Hancock. Joining Dan on the album are Chris Dawson - Piano, Chris Colangelo - Bass and Thomas White - Drums. 

Find out more about Dan by visiting, www.danstmarseille.com.

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