Kala Gets Dealers Started With Uke Circle Kit Kala Brand Music Co. has created a step by step guide to creating a Ukulele Circle in collaboration with ukulele virtuoso and educator, James Hill. The Ukulele Circle Starter Kit is available as a free download to dealers. "In store ukulele events are a fun and effective way to attract new customers and create new musicians" according to Mike Upton, Kala President. "They are low cost and easy to organize and help to create a sense of community in the store". Dealers across the country have discovered that the mighty uke is a powerful little instrument when it comes to creating successful in-store recreational music making experiences. Duane Wong, owner of Music Works in El Cerrito CA adds, "Not only have these events generated sales on the spot, but there has been a residual effect. Getting involved with the ukulele has been the best decision we have made, although we have found that we achieve far more results by promoting the instrument than by just hanging some ukes on the wall—promoting is the key!" To learn more about The Ukulele Starter Kit dealers are invited to attend a NAMM Idea Center Session on Sunday January 22nd at 12:00. The Idea Center session will give dealers all the information that they need to create a successful event using the free materials provided by James Hill and Kala. The panel will be led by ukulele instructor and facilitator, Jim D'Ville, and will include dealers that have held successful ukulele gatherings in their stores. Later that day all NAMM attendees are invited to participate in the annual NAMM Ukulele Circle sponsored by Kala in front of the outdoor Convention Center at 3:30. Ukuleles will be available to those that would like to join in the fun. For further information please contact [email protected] 877 853 3853 Ukadelic Creates More Good Vibrations Kala Brand Music is spreading more excitation with new additions to the popular Ukadelic™ Series of ukuleles. New models include Black Paisley, Peacelove, Swirls, Sskulls, Leopard, and USA. Ukadelic™ has taken ukulele into another dimension where audacious graphics capture all that is fun about the ukulele and more. The designs of these colorful ukes incorporate art, culture, and humor into their design. In addition they are very playable and well made featuring all wood construction, geared tuners, and Aquila Strings. Other Ukadelic™ models include Paisley, Tie-Dye, Tattoo, Flag, and Reggae designs. All models are available in soprano size, with the reggae model also available in tenor size. The Ukadelic™ experience will occur daily at the Kala booth #1330 in Hall E. www.kalabrand.com For more information contact Kala Brand Music at [email protected] 877 853 3853 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2012 More U-BASS, Less Space Kala adds more bass with less space with the addition of five new models to the U-BASS™ line of Acoustic Electric 21” scale bass instruments. New models include Sunburst, Gloss Black, Solid Spruce Top HH (Hutch Hutchinson Model), Spalted Maple, and Exotic Mahogany. The Sunburst, Spruce Top HH, and Gloss Black all come with solid spruce tops and mahogany back and sides. The Spalted maple features a solid spruce top and maple back and sides while the Exotic Mahogany body is assembled from Kala’s exotic looking mahogany wood. The Hutch Hutchinson model incorporates special features that include a cutaway neck design and custom louvered sound hole openings on its spruce top. Hutchinson is the longtime bass player for Bonnie Raitt and a renowned session player. About the U-BASS™ Hutch states, “The U-Bass is a true innovation in the world of bass. They are really fun to play, sound great live or in the studio, and are extremely portable." Each bass is available in 4 string fretted models and feature Kala’s proprietary Polyurethane Strings, a custom Shadow pickup system, Rosewood fingerboard and bridge, custom tuners, and solid mahogany neck. U- Basses meet all airline carry on requirements and include a deluxe custom gig bag with every model. The new basses will be available early in 2012 www.ubass.com [email protected] Kala Adds New U-BASS to S-U-B Fleet Petaluma CA Kala Brand Music Co. adds more bass with less space with the addition of the Cherry Burst solid body S-U-B U-BASS. The Cherry Burst is the latest offering in Kala's Subductive Series of 21" scale Solid Body U-Basses. The Kala S-U-B U-BASS series is available in four string fretted models that also include Sunburst, Red, and Black finishes. Kala has begun producing all colors in the S-U-B series in a gloss finish. All Kala U-Basses are inspected and set up in the USA and are Kala Technician Approved. Kala S-U-B basses are very portable and meet airline carry on requirements. Other features include a Shadow pickup system with volume control and 2 band EQ, Custom Hipshot Tuners, and a Custom Deluxe Gig bag. The name Subductive (S-U-B for short) is inspired by the term used to describe how the Mariana Trench, the deepest known point in the Pacific Ocean, was created. Kala's proprietary polyurethane strings produce incredible bottom end that has been described as seismic. "The Kala Solid Body U-Bass is a true innovation in the world of bass", according to Hutch Hutchinson, longtime bassist for Bonnie Raitt."They are really fun to play, sound great live or in the studio, and are extremely portable." www.ubass.com For more information: [email protected] Abe Laboriel and Tal Wilkenfeld Join U-Bass Endorsees A musical icon, Abe Laboriel, and one of the industry's brightest new stars, Tal Wilkenfield, have joined Kala's roster of U-Bass endorsees. Abe Laboriel has played on over 4,000 recordings and soundtracks and was described by Guitar Player Magazine as "the most widely used session bassist of our time". In 2005, Abe was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the Berklee College of Music. Tal Wilkenfeld has been widely hailed as "the rising star of the bass guitar". She achieved international acclaim as the bassist for Jeff Beck. She has also accompanied Herbie Hancock and toured with Chick Corea at the age of 21. Jeff Beck has described her as "an astonishing talent". Abe has chosen the Kala Mahogany acoustic-electric while Tal favors the California Series USA made solid body natural finish 4-string. The U-Bass is Kala's revolutionary line of 21 inch scale bass instruments that include the California, S-U-B, and acoustic-electric series. Link to Tal playing the U-Bass: http://youtu.be/pAcJ4L5NgNo For further information [email protected] .