Bill Cobham Interview with Jon Hammond

*WATCH THE VIDEO: Bill Cobham Interview with Jon Hammond http://archive.org/details/BillCobhamInterviewWithJonHammond YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCWujLHenSE

Drummer Bandleader extraordinaire Bill Cobham interview with Jon Hammond for Jon's daily CBS Radio program HammondCast aka "Jon Hammond's Afternoon Slide" on radio KYCY and KYOU 1550AM. This interview took place in New York City during the IAJE jazz educators convention with some very special events celebrating French Jazz Musicians, 2 of the top French Jazz stars came to play on Billy Cobham Band - Didier Lockwood violin, Sylvan Luc guitar along with Victor Bailey on bass. Visit Bill Cobham's official website: http://www.billycobham.com and http://ww.HammondCast.com be sure to check out BC's extensive discography! Billy Cobham Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_cobham William C. Cobham (born May 16, 1944 in Panama) is a Panamanian American jazz drummer, composer and bandleader, who permanently relocated to Switzerland during the late 1970s. Born in Panama, Cobham's family moved to New York City during his early childhood. A drummer from his youth, Cobham attended New York's High School of Music and Art, graduating in 1962. He played in a U.S. Army Band from 1965 to 1968. Following his discharge, Cobham joined an ensemble led by pianist Horace Silver for about a year, also playing or recording with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, organist Shirley Scott, and guitarist George Benson. billy cobham, drums, mahavishnu, spectrum, miles davis, wienerschnitzel, jon hammond http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150877004452102 Blip TV http://blip.tv/jon-hammond/bill-cobham-interview-with-jon-hammond-6177094 Vimeo http://vimeo.com/43201811 *WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Billy COBHAM Doug WIMBISH Joe BERGER on HammondCast http://archive.org/details/JonHammondBillyCOBHAMDougWIMBISHJoeBERGERonHammondCast YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we6YBMzK3Z0 13,925 This Impromptu Jam with 3 greats BILL COBHAM, DOUG WIMBISH & JOE BERGER happened at Gibson Guitar Party in Frankfurt Germany, captured by Jon Hammond originally shown on The Jon Hammond Show *24th year NYC. COBHAM born May 16, 1944 in Panama, is one of the world's best and most influential drummers known for his jazz fusion in the 1970s, with John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra, where he pioneered a powerful style of drumming with jazz, rock and funk influences has an enormous Discography. WIMBISH (born September 22, 1956) is a bass player, primarily known for his studio work for the rap/hip hop label Sugarhill Records and his membership of the band Living Colour. He has played for a vast range of artists, among which Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger, Madonna, George Clinton, Depeche Mode, and Mos Def. Wimbish is considered to be a pioneer in hip hop bass playing. BERGER has engineered mixed and mastered thousands of recordings and played with John Entwistle of THE WHO and member of JON HAMMOND Band. Seen here playing a special Gibson LES PAUL, whom (Les) Joe has also worked with and Paul has appeared on Hammond's long-running cable tv show in NYC. Enjoy! Frankfurt Germany -- Hammond Suzuki Sk1 Organ Stage Keyboard is awarded 2 top prizes MIPA Keyboard of The Year - Jon Hammond reporting Michael Falkenstein *here with MIPA Award gave acceptance speech in English, nice job Michael!

Product Award Tastenwelt Keyboard of The Year Stageorgeln from Thilo M. Kramny and Karl Stechl of PPVMEDIEN GmbH held high by Siem Lassche as Jennifer Schiele Michael Falkenstein (pointing) of Hammond Suzuki Europe Germany and Dirk Mertens of HS Europe look on

L to R: in Messe Frankfurt Congress Centrum: Michael Falkenstein, Dirk Mertens, Siem Lassche, Yu Beniya Suzuki Musical Instruments - photo by Jon Hammond

Malc Deakin Hammond Suzuki UK expertly plays the B3mk2 + 3300W high-power Leslie at Hammond Stand 2012 Musikmesse - photo by Jon Hammond

Jon Hammond with award winning Hammond Sk1

Jon Hammond played the Hammond Sk1 daily on Agora Stage with Tommy Denander all star "Legendary Jam Of The Year" Band *Photos by Milena Broniowska

Jon Hammond backing vocalist Chuck Plaisance on Jimi Hendrix' Little Wing

Jon Hammond and Tommy Denander

*WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Tommy Denander Movie - Interview and Concert 2012 Musikmesse http://archive.org/details/TommyDenanderMovie-InterviewAndConcert2012Musikmesse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv635mBEmE4 Tommy Denander guitarist extraordinaire, producer and recording artist on more than 2000 hit records here in backstage interview with Jon Hammond organist and host of HammondCast and long-time NYC cable TV show The Jon Hammond Show, also Bobby Kimball of Toto! This interview happened at 2012 Frankfurt Musikmesse backstage at the big Agora Stage just seconds before going on the bandstand in concert with Tommy's Allstar band, with footage from the concert of Hendrix tribute with musicians „The legendary Jam-of-the Year"-band with Bobby Kimball (TOTO), Tommy Denander (guitar player, e.g. for Michael Jackson), Bruce Gaitsch (guitar player, e.g. for Richard Marx), Chuck Plaisance vocals, Curt Bisquera (drummer, e.g. for Tina Turner) und Jekko S. Jon Hammond at the Sk1 Hammond organ, Jimmy Kresic keys, Pitti Hecht percussion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Denander Tommy explains his VGS signature guitars with special fret design with Evertune bridge and the True Temperament fretting system. Special thanks Wolfgang Luecke Frankfurt Messe, GEWA Music, Ralf J. Richter aka Jackson and Team for incredible stage support and Ralph Heinrich for the fantastic board mix, dankeschoen! sincerely, Jon Hammond http://www.hammondCast.com http://blip.tv/jon-hammond/tommy-denander-movie-interview-and-concert-2012-musikmesse-6049823 http://vimeo.com/39257332

Tommy Denander Movie - Interview and Concert 2012 Musikmesse from Jon Hammond on Vimeo.

special thanks "Tachi" Waichiro Tachikawa, Yu Beniya, Taki Manager Product Development Suzuki Musical Instruments Team, sincerely, Jon Hammond Sk1 in action with Jon Hammond *WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Head Phone Newessbar Hamburg Jon Hammond Band http://archive.org/details/HeadPhoneNewessbarHamburgJonHammondBand

Large Size Head Phone Newessbar Hamburg Jon Hammond Band Jon Hammond Band in Hamburg at Newessbar performing funky original composition "Head Phone" Lutz Buechner tenor sax Heinz Lichius drums Joe Berger guitar Jon Hammond Sk1 Hammond organ and bass Special thanks Roman Kumutat sound engineer, Olaf Gödecke, Knut Benzner NDR Radio, Jens Borgmann and Sabine Borgmann Route 66 Hamburg *see Jon's T-Shirt http://www.HammondCast.com Route 66 Hamburg LINK Borgmann KG - Kfz Meisterbetrieb Kieler Straße 271, D-22525 Hamburg Telefon: +49 (040) / 54 10 95

Blip TV http://blip.tv/jon-hammond/head-phone-newessbar-hamburg-jon-hammond-band-6068555 http://vimeo.com/39803207 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150618921457102 *WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: James Wes Blues 2012 Jazzkeller Party Jon Hammond Band with special guest Lee Oskar http://archive.org/details/JamesWesBlues2012JazzkellerPartyJonHammondBandWithSpecialGuestLee

Blip TV: http://blip.tv/jon-hammond/james-wes-blues-2012-jazzkeller-party-jon-hammond-band-with-special-guest-lee-oskar-6066210

Jon Hammond's annual Musikmesse Warm Up Party in Jazzkeller Frankfurt the night before 2012 Musikmesse kicks off, Jon Hammond Band with special guest Lee Oskar playing James Wes Blues - Tony Lakatos tenor saxophone, Giovanni Gulino drums, Joe Berger guitar, Jon Hammond at Sk1 Hammond organ, special guest Lee Oskar harmonica. Special thanks to TekAmp Thomas Eich, Suzuki Musical Instruments, Saray Pastanesi Baeckerei & Konditorei Chocolate Cake, P.Mauriat Music special mention Alex Hsieh - this was on Jon's 59th birthday and celebrating 26 years attending Musikmesse Frankfurt http://www.jonhammondband.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFF0oNfZ8qg http://vimeo.com/39713227 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150615688132102&set=vb.558692101 *WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Late Rent 2012 Musikmesse Warm Up Party Jazzkeller Frankfurt http://archive.org/details/LateRent2012MusikmesseWarmUpPartyJazzkellerFrankfurt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD8I5axpmy8 2012 Annual Musikmesse Warm Up Party hosted by Jon Hammond Band in Jazzkeller Frankfurt - "LATE RENT" Jon Hammond Show Theme Song as seen on MNN TV New York City Cable TV with Tony Lakatos tenor sax, Joe Berger guitar, Giovanni Gulino drums, Jon Hammond at the Hammond Sk1 organ, special guest Lee Oskar harmonica. This performance marks 26 years consecutive attending Musikmesse Frankfurt and it was also on the birthday of Jon Hammond March 20th, 2012 with a big chocolate on chocolate cake baked by Saray Pastanesi Baeckerei & Konditorei bakery on Mainzer Landstrasse 131. 60327 Frankfurt am Main http://www.jonhammondband.com http://blip.tv/jon-hammond/late-rent-2012-musikmesse-warm-up-party-jazzkeller-frankfurt-6054634 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150606245782102&set=t.558692101 Late Rent, Hammond Organ, Jazz, Jazzkeller Frankfurt, Musikmesse Warm Up Party, Sk1, SK2, Soul Music, Tony Lakatos, P.Mauriat, HammondCast *WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Get Back In The Groove Jon Hammond Band in Jazzkeller Frankfurt http://archive.org/details/GetBackInTheGrooveJonHammondBandInJazzkellerFrankfurt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJT522j_nPQ 2012 Annual Musikmesse Warm Up Party hosted by Jon Hammond Band in Jazzkeller Frankfurt "Get Back In The Groove" / Tribute to 9/11 by Jon Hammond with Tony Lakatos tenor sax, Joe Berger guitar, Giovanni Gulino drums, Jon Hammond at the Hammond Sk1 organ, special guest Lee Oskar harmonica. This performance marks 26 years consecutive attending Musikmesse Frankfurt and it was also on the birthday of Jon Hammond March 20th, 2012 with a big chocolate on chocolate cake baked by Saray Pastanesi Baeckerei & Konditorei bakery on Mainzer Landstrasse 131. 60327 Frankfurt am Main http://www.jonhammondband.com

Jon Hammond Get Back In The Groove Tribute to 9/11 on Blip TV http://blip.tv/jon-hammond/get-back-in-the-groove-jon-hammond-band-in-jazzkeller-frankfurt-6054280 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150605370867102&set=vb.558692101 Get Back In The Groove, Jazzkeller Frankfurt, Musikmesse Warm Up Party, Hammond Organ, Sk1, Sk2, Tony Lakatos, Jazz, Soul Music MIPA Award, Keyboard Of The Year, Tastenwelt, PPVMEDIEN, Suzuki Musical Instruments, Frankfurt Musikmesse, Yu Beniya, Jon Hammond, Sk1, Sk2, Tommy Denander, Wolfgang Luecke

Bullet Train to Suzuki by Jon Hammond

Jon Hammond in Hamamatsu Suzuki Hall Concert Photos and Shinkansen Bullet Train Videos Link

I caught this train flying by perfectly in time to see
the aerodynamic nose of the incredible bullet train...this train flies!http:///www.HammondCast.com

Founder and President Chairman of The Board Suzuki Instruments Mr. Manji Suzuki and Jon Hammond at the New B3mk2 Hammond organ after Jon played an in house concert at Suzuki World Headquarters and factory in Hamamatsu Japanhttp://www.HammondCast.com/

*WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Moanin 2012 Jazzkeller Hofheim Jon Hammond Band http://archive.org/details/Moanin2012JazzkellerHofheimJonHammondBand

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNHoRw5R13c Jon Hammond Band annual Musikmesse-Session in Jazzkeller Hofheim Moanin 2012 with Peter Klohmann tenor saxophone, Giovanni Gulino drums, Joe Berger guitar, Jon Hammond at Sk1 Hammond organ Swingin' Funky Jazz and Blues http://www.jonhammondband.com music, blues, jazz, jazzkeller hofheim, musikmesse, sk1 organ, session http://vimeo.com/42700506

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150859277567102

music, blues, jazz, jazzkeller, hofheim, musikmesse, sk1 organ, session *WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Giovanni Gulino Funky Break Down Head Phone Jon Hammond Band http://archive.org/details/GiovanniGulinoFunkyBreakDownHeadPhoneJonHammondBand

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JtoWjSFow0 Jon Hammond's annual Musikmesse-Session in Jazzkeller Hofheim, here featuring funky Giovanni Gulino breaking it down on Jon Hammond original funk composition "Head Phone" - Jon Hammond Band - Peter Klohmann tenor sax, Giovanni Gulino drums, Joe Berger guitar, Jon Hammond Sk1 Hammond organ *Note: Congratulations to Jazzkeller Hofheim 53 plus years of history, check out the book, I am honored to be on page 68. Keep the tradition going in Hofheim am Taunus, dankeschoen Jazzkeller Hofheim Team! sincerely, Jon Hammond konrad neupert, jazzkeller hofheim, funky breakdown, giovanni gulino, jon hammond, band sk1 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150824411932102 Jon Hammond on page 68 - Jazzkeller Hofheim 50 Jahre

http://vimeo.com/41852656

L to R: Akiko Tsuruga, Founder / President Manji Suzuki, Jon Hammond, Koei Tanaka photo after concert in Suzuki Hall, Suzuki Instruments World Headquarters Hamamatsu Japan http://www.HammondCast.com/

Waichiro 'Tachi' Tachikawa, Jon Hammond, Yu Beniya at Suzuki Instruments World Headquarters Hamamatsu Japan http://www.HammondCast.com/

Jon Hammond
International Hammond-Suzuki Jazz Artist JON HAMMOND recently stopped by Hammond-Suzuki USA HQ during his visit to Chicago. After a tour of the factory and offices given by Senior V.P. Dennis Capiga, Jon gave the A-405 and new Mini-B a workout in the showroom. Jon's swinging style was just the thing to cool off a hot summer day. Scope out where Jon's going to be at: www.jonhammondband.com

Hamamatsu is known as "City of Music",
even the sidewalks have a musical theme!
http://www.HammondCast.com/

10,000 Yen(円 or 圓 en?) (sign: ¥; code: JPY)
Translation: 10,000 Smackeroo's!
( $111.88 in U.S. Dollars )
http://www.HammondCast.com/

Jon Hammond shaking out the new B3mk2 Hammond organ and wooden Leslie model 3300 with 300 watts of solid-state power in Suzuki Hall, Suzuki Instruments World Headquarters Hamamatsu Japan, smokin' setup!

Here in Addison IL HSUSA HQ http://www.hammondorganco.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138 with new Mini-B and Model A-405 Console organs. A405 no Leslie necessary, 200 watt internal console system sounds fantastic, coming soon!
http://www.hammondorganco.com/artists/JonH.html

Manji Suzuki talks, we listen! L to R: Yu Beniya, Jon Hammond, Koei Tanaka, Waichiro 'Tachi' Tachikawa in Suzuki Hall, Suzuki Instruments World Headquarters Hamamatsu Japan http://www.HammondCast.com/

"Mission Impossible Team" ! in Suzuki Hall, Hamamatsu Japan

Suzuki Instruments Team photo from the bandstand by Jon Hammond playing at the B3mk2 Hammond organ in Suzuki Hall, Suzuki World Headquarters Hamamatsu Japanhttp://www.HammondCast.com/

Blues Jam Session at sound check for concert at Suzuki Instruments World Headquarters
L to R: Akiko Tsuruga at XK-3c organ, Koei Tanaka chromatic Suzuki harmonica, Jon Hammond at the B3mk2 organ and 3300 wood Leslie http://www.HammondCast.com/

Jon Hammond with Mr. Kenji Tanaka Director Hamamatsu Tourismhttp://hamamatsutic.hamazo.tv/e2334330.html

Jon Hammond riding the trains in Japan, rockin'!
http://www.HammondCast.com/

This elevator door: DANGER !
Do not put your hand in there if you are an organ player !
http://www.jonhammondband.com/

Group Photo: Suzuki Instruments Team in Suzuki Hall, Suzuki Instruments World Headquarters Hamamatsu Japan http://www.HammondCast.com/

Koei Tanaka Suzuki Chromatic Harmonica and Jon Hammond B3mk2 Hammond Organ in Suzuki Hall Hamamatsu Japan

Founder President Suzuki Instruments Manji Suzuki, Jon Hammond, Koei Tanaka in Suzuki Hall Hamamatsu Japan
http://www.suzuki-music.co.jp/en/esgif.htm#SUZUKI%20MUSICAL%20INSTRUMENT%20MFG.%20CO.,LTD

HAMMOND SUZUKI CO., LTD

The "HAMMOND ORGAN" is the genuinely traditional brand loved by the musicians and organists of all over the world. It has been the leader of the industry for more than 60 years. The value is enormous. It has been the first name to be mentioned in the industry by all the music lovers of the world. We are expanding the music schools all over the country, preparing the systematic curriculums (= teaching systems) for kindergarten children to all age players, easy to enter and gradually and surely reach the highest goal (=the lifetime learning course). We are trying to be useful to build rich and peaceful society everywhere.

LOCATION COMPANY'S NAME ： HAMMOND SUZUKI CO., LTD. ADDRESS： 2-25-12 Ryoke Hamamatsu-shi Shizuoka-ken 430-0852 Japan TEL： (053)462-7810 FAX： (053)463-5858 UMEDA CENTER ADDRESS： 2-6-30 Shibata Kita-ku Osaka-shi Osaka-fu 530-0012 Japan TEL： (06) 6359-2636 FAX： (06) 6359-2684 http://www.suzukieurope.com/html/profile.html Home Products Support & downloads About Suzuki Welcome [ Sign in ] [ Register     Suzuki Profile Mr. Manji Suzuki SUZUKI is one of todays leading Japanese manufacturers and has gained international respect among partners and customers alike for its humanity, loyalty, quality and innovation. But what about the man behind the company? Mr. Manji Suzuki was born in 1923 (now 86 years of age) and remains one of the most important and influential people in the Musical Instrument Industry. He has maintained a solid belief in the importance of making music available to as many people as possible. Over the years he has pioneered many incredible and innovative instruments that we are privileged to enjoy today. Humble Beginnings Far from the bustle and prestige of his Hamamatsu office, the past saw a young Manji Suzuki hand building harmonicas himself in a rented room on a farm estate located in Sumiyoshi town, Japan. Electricity was only available to him at night though as the farmer used the generator to draw water to his rice paddy during the day. Because of this Mr. Suzuki often worked until 1 or 2 o’clock in the morning making his beloved harmonicas! A friend joined Mr. Suzuki to make the work easier and after a year they borrowed money and the small operation was moved to the first floor of a property in Ryuzenji town. This was a new and exciting start with working space of some 27 m2,, plus a few tools and machines. Having gained the ability to manufacture harmonicas in larger numbers, it soon became apparent they needed to learn how to sell them! Acquaintances introduced them to wholesalers in Tokyo and Osaka, and the business developed due to Mr. Suzuki's hard work and persistence. By Appointment In the following years Harmonicas, due to their ease of play, size and cost were used more and more for teaching music. This greatly expanded sales for Mr. Suzuki. However 1947 saw a significant step forward for Music and the Arts in Japan; The Ministry of Education in its "guidelines for Teaching" stipulated the need to introduce certain instruments into education. These would include various rhythm instruments such as Castanets, Xylophones, Recorders as well as Harmonicas, all of which would be easy to use and play. As a result of this Government intervention, Harmonicas were high-lighted as a serious and useful instrument. The government guidelines were revised in 1951 and again in 1958 at which time they clearly stated the need to utilize harmonicas in all stages of compulsory education from the 1st grade of Primary school to the 3rd grade of Junior High School. By this time, the harmonica demands rapidly increased! MITI’s data According to MITI’s data at the time, the total Japanese domestic harmonica output was: 1952: 1,500,000 pieces  1958: 3,090,000 pieces  1963: 7,020,000 pieces  Suzuki Musical Inst. Mfg. Co., Ltd. was established in 1952 and 1954 saw the start of the company’s full scale production at the present location in Ryoke in Hamamatsu. The company grew, as the demand for harmonicas continued. By 1957/58 Hamamatsu was the booming capital of harmonica production with more than 21 harmonica manufacturers. Suzuki produced as many as 700,000 pieces annually at the peak. Due to the Educational Ministry’s suggestion to offer low cost Harmonicas to primary schools very large amounts of harmonicas were required but with so many manufacturers trying to sell their harmonicas many could not cope with competition. Today the only harmonica manufacturer doing business in Hamamatsu on a world wide scale is Suzuki. Keyboard Harmonica Another milestone in the development of Suzuki Musical Instruments was the introduction of the Suzuki Melodeon, which became a key product for school. Mr. Suzuki first saw a Hohner ‘Melodica’ in a department store in Osaka, around 1959. The instrument fascinated him and so he brought it. It was a button-type model (German) and although unusable in education Mr. Suzuki saw potential for something similar. As the basis in teaching music is the Piano Keyboard, he decided to build a new version and by 1961 the Melodeon was born with keys instead of buttons. It happened to catch the eye of an officer of the Ministry of education who insisted they introduce the product to schools. Initially there was some resistance and the press criticized it as being too expensive as a school instrument. Despite this it gradually became accepted, especially with the introduction of the flexible extended 'hose' mouth piece, allowing the Melodeon to be placed on a desk top and played like a traditional keyboard! This idea was welcomed by teachers as being highly effective for teaching both breath control and keyboard skills at the same time! By 1967 this ‘Keyboard Harmonica’ was included as standard equipment in schools and by 1968 the Educational Ministry’s examiners announced that this 'Keyboard Harmonica' will be a good replacement for a standard Harmonica, Organ or Keyboard.” This accelerated the demand making the Melodeon the backbone of the company, with Suzuki taking 60% of the share of the market at the peak. By Design As a born engineer Mr. Suzuki was naturally gifted, which came in useful when designing and building the machinery and tools needed to create precision products. The machinery that can be seen in the factories today, such as Dies and Molds, Precision Processing Machines for reeds, Automatic Welding Machines, Automated Tuning Machines, etc were mostly made and designed within their own plants. There are obvious advantages and more control having everything contained within the Suzuki group of companies. Philosophy Mr. Suzuki's realized the importance of respecting customers opinions as much as possible and to incorporate those ideas into the products manufactured. For this reason he would dedicate half of each month visiting schools to meet teachers and listen carefully to their opinions, desires and requests. He quite literally journeyed from one end of Japan to the other, even including the Miyakojima Islands. Due to this close, personal contact many of the principals and teachers became friends and would call him by his first name or even his nickname ‘Man-Chan’. Many seminars were held and teachers would learn to instruct their pupils and were happy to promote the Suzuki products. They also shared any of their good ideas and the product line gradually expanded. Mr. Suzuki's close working relationship truly benefited everyone involved. Mr. Suzuki believes in the value of teaching and introducing musical instruments to people of all ages. Ensemble playing was very important in the past, so it should be in the future, as children learn to play together, work together and in the same way develop life long friendships. The decision was made to market Suzuki products direct, rather than working through wholesalers. This made sense, particularly as their main markets were schools. Taishoh-koto Continuing his philosophy of music for everyone, Mr. Suzuki chose another instrument to help people capture their gift of Music; the Taishoh-koto which is based on a traditional Japanese instrument the Koto. Mr. Suzuki started experimental teaching classes as early as 1957 and the learning curve is still continuing! The idea was to offer a philosophy and way of teaching, not just the instruments themselves, which would be an important factor in developing and maintaining healthy markets. Suzuki started the Taishoh-koto classes, using the local/district meeting halls situated near their sales offices. Now this is the largest-scale organization in this category. There are quite a few families of the Taishoh-koto methods all over Japan. The Taishoh-koto has established its position as a main centre for the middle-age to senior citizens - in so called ‘Life-long Study’. In 1992 the Taishoh-koto Association was organized as a corporation, proof of how popular the activities were becoming. In 1994, Suzuki Harmonica Promotion Association was organized for promoting group lesson classes for ensemble-focused instruction. The country’s top musicians chaired this organization. The first was Mr. Naozumi Yamamoto, a world-famous composer, and the second was Mr. Hiroshi Miyagawa, a Japan’s leading composer. (Both now passed away.) The current chairman is Mr. Kei Ogura, also a popular composer. Today’s Suzuki MI Group consists of the following companies: Suzuki Musical Inst. Mfg. Co., Ltd., Manufacturing headquarters with R&D, metal works plant, parts processing & assembly depts.. Universe Precision Works Co., Ltd. (est. 1971) Various plastic parts are molded, injected and assembled here. Tsumori Precision Machinery Co., Ltd (est. 1973) Design and assembles precision molds and various automation machines. Suzuki Educational Software Co., Ltd. (est. 1984) R&D of educational software and promotion of the PC usage for schools. Suzuki Musical Promotion Co., Ltd. (est. 1985) For organizing and promoting music classes for adults, and holding concerts and seminars. Hammond Suzuki Co., Ltd. (est. 1986) For marketing and sales of Hammond Organs. Suzuki Musical Inst. Sales Co., Ltd. (est. 1971) Covering the territory of Japan. Suzuki Corporation (est. 1974) responsible for overseas sales Overseas subsidiaries: Hammond Suzuki USA, Inc. Hammond Suzuki Europe B.V. (Holland) Suzuki Europe Ltd (UK) Nanjing Suzuki Music & School Inst. Mfg. Co., Ltd., China Suzuki Musical Inst. Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

B3mk2 Organ, Hamamatsu, Headquarters, Jon Hammond, Local 802 Musicians Union, Suzuki Musical Instruments, Tachi Tachikawa, Sk1, Harmonica, Hamamatsu, Hammond organ, Bullet Train