Press Release For immediate distribution Launching of the 1st Montreal Musician and Musical Instrument Show The biggest names in the music and musical instrument industry on hand! Montreal, Tuesday, June 21, 2005 – Always on the lookout for evermore inventive ways to entertain and inform the festival-going public, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal is this year launching the first Montreal Musician and Musical Instrument Show (MMMIS), presented in collaboration with General Motors of Canada. The most prestigious musical-instrument manufacturers in the world and a number of internationally renowned artists have confirmed their attendance at the Salon-type event, where some 35 activities are scheduled. It’s a North-American first, aimed at introducing the general public to the diverse aspects of musical life. The inaugural edition is free of charge to everyone and will take place at the Grande-Place du complexe Desjardins, from July 7 to 10, 2005. Please take note that the event is strictly non-profit, designed to entice music lovers to take up a musical instrument themselves and discover all the benefits of music-making as a part of daily life. At the salon, the public will not only be given the chance to meet amateur and professional musicians, but also to learn about the various manufacturers, distributors and sellers of instruments. Visitors can circulate among 40 exhibitors’ stands to learn about the latest innovations in instrument technology and the many accessories employed by professionals and beginners alike — a great way to make first-hand contact with musicians and the myriad ways of making music, all in a relaxed, party-like atmosphere. For this first edition, we will find exhibitors by such auspicious names as: Godin, Norman, Seagull, Simon & Patrick, La Patrie and Art & Lutherie Archambault, Yamaha, Korg, Fender and M-Audio Marshall, Digitech and Guitars Washburn, Korg and Pearl Steve’s Music Store, Ampeg, Epiphone, Gibson, Hofner, Ludwig, Senheiser, Zildjian and many others Apple Canada Roland, Boss, Edirol Ibanez, Tama, Orange, Warwick, Rotosound and Promark Pianos Prestige, Steinway & Sons, New York Revolution Music, EBS, Nik Huber Guitars, Ruokangas Guitars, Hamer Guitars, Taye Drums, MTD, Ritter Bass and others XXL guitars Dana Trading RSB myrareguitars.com, Eastwood guitars Productions Kila André Brunet Guitars and L’École-atelier Bruand Lutherie-Guitare Heartwood flutes Custom-made guitars BM / Beilin and Scherb Pellerin Guitars XXL guitars Close encounters with well-known artists at Rencontres Four accomplished musicians invited to this year’s Festival have confirmed their attendance at one of the most highly anticipated events of this inaugural Salon: Rencontres. Visitors are invited into the intimacy of the Cinquième Salle at Place des Arts where Katie Malloch will interview John McLaughlin (July 4), Pat Metheny (July 7) and Oliver Jones (July 10.) Claude Côté will interview Jim Marshall on July 7. Interview sessions are open to the public, although you’ll need a pass to get in. Passes can be obtained at the exhibitors’ stands at the Salon, Steve’s Music Store, Archambault music stores or through the Salon’s media partners, or by entering the Internet contest at the special site for the event: www.mmmis.ca. A wealth of knowledge at Ateliers Visitors to Atelier events are in for some memorable moments, as well. On July 7 in the amphitheatre at the complexe Desjardins, 70 festivalgoers will have the chance to meet trumpetists Terence Blanchard and Paolo Fresu, saxophonist David Sanchez, singer Dawn Tyler Watson and, on July 8, bassist Michel Donato, all hosted by Jean-Pierre Zanella. On July 9, Claude Côté will host D.J. Mana, pianist Lorraine Desmarais and guitarist Sylvain Luc, all in collaboration with Godin. On July 5, Kaki King will be interviewed by Jean-Pierre Zanella in the Salon Jeanne-Mance at the Hyatt Regency Montréal. Entrance is free. Jim Marshall, first recipient of the Prix Hommage MMMIS The Montreal Musician and Musical Instrument Show is pleased to be honoring British inventor Jim Marshall with the Prix Hommage, as befits the man who signed his name to amplification technology known throughout the world and used by such artists as Jimmy Hendrix, Peter Frampton, Marylin Manson, Bon Jovi, Ace Frehley and the group Kiss (on record as saying that ‘never since his invention of 1962 has anyone made amplifiers as well as a Marshall.’) Jim Marshall will be happy to sign autographs, after being presented his trophy, a figure created by glass artist Sylvie Bélanger who has stylized a cascading musical staff, conveying music as part of the flow of life. Music on wheels, thanks to John Lennon Here’s something guaranteed to bring out the musician in everyone: the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. It’s a veritable library on wheels that regularly tours the United States but that will be stopping over in Montreal for the MMMIS. Both a studio and laboratory for live creation, the bus is packed with high-tech Apple equipment plus a variety of classic and modern instruments, like the Salon itself intended to encourage music making, especially among young people who might otherwise have no access to such facilities. It’s a very special opportunity for everyone, so make sure to show up at the corner of Clark and Ste. Catherine Streets, July 4 to 6 any time from noon to midnight. Gary Burden, featured artist at the Domtar exhibition Celebrated album designer Gary Burden is star of an exhibition that’s travelled from Chicago to Dallas, New York, Toronto and now Montreal. On display will be 14 of his best known creations, organized by Domtar for the MMMIS. Reproduced as 47’’ × 47’’ posters on environmentally friendly Domtar paper, you’ll be able to see covers for such memorable albums as the Eagles’ Desperado, On The Border and One of These Nights, The Doors’ Morrison Hotel, Joni Mitchell’s Blue, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s Déjà Vu and Steppenwolf’s Steppenwolf the Second, to mention just a few. The exhibition will take place at the Parc Domtar, near the Festival site at 395 de Maisonneuve West. Burden has supplied each illustration with texts, anecdotes and quotes from the musicians themselves. It’s all sure to bring back memories. Special workshops offered by exhibitors Also in the amphitheatre at the Grande-Place du complexe Desjardins, you’ll be able to attend diverse workshops hosted by the designers and manufacturers of musical instruments and accessories who’ll fill you in on tricks of their trade. A number of activities, demonstrations and other hosted events will take place alternately, with the participation of exhibitors. You can learn how to create music on MAC, for example, see how a guitar is made or participate in an interactive show with musical instruments from around the world — plus much, much more. An auction in aid of the MMMIS and Young Musicians of the World An auction will take place simultaneously on the MMMIS site and via Internet through EBay. Profits will contribute to financing both the MMMIS and Young Musicians of the World, a partner of Jeunesse du monde (Youth of the World), who work on behalf of youth around the world. It’s a unique opportunity to treat yourself to a special gift, like the exclusive hand-signed Godin XTSA guitar, a weekend at the 2006 edition of the Jazz Festival or a Marshall amplifier, signed by Jim Marshall himself — and all in support of two fine causes! Don’t miss the acoustic guitar jams with Paul Deslauriers Guitarist Paul Deslauriers has played with Amanda Marshall, Garou and Dawn Tyler Watson, among others, and is inviting the public to bring in their own acoustic guitars and show off at the complexe Desjardins, every day for the duration of the Salon! It’s an acoustic jam session open to everyone and every style of music, from jazz, rock, bluegrass, funk, folk and more. First come, first served! The Drum Circle for young and old At the Grande-Scène in complexe Desjardins, Steve’s Music Store and the GM Jazz Band invite festivalgoers to join them. Three hosts will lend their percussion instruments to guests who can all take part in a celebration of rhythm. Every day at 4 p.m. Learn to play the guitar in one hour with René Gilbert On May 30, 1992, guitar teacher René Gilbert created the biggest guitar show on Earth, as described by the Guinness Book of World Records: 423 guitarists played simultaneously on stage at the Palais des sports de Sherbrooke before an audience of 3000. Thanks to Godin guitars, he’ll be re-awakening the dream of musicianship in everyone by giving group lessons that will make all comers ‘instant’ guitarists, whether they’ve played in the past or not. Godin guitars will be available for the duration of the lesson which will take place every day at 6 p.m. A guaranteed hit. This first edition of the Montreal Musician and Musical Instrument Show is presented in collaboration with General Motors of Canada. Organizers of the Salon gratefully acknowledge the event’s four official sponsors: Godin, Archambault, Marshall and Steve’s Music Store. Special thanks are also due to Canada Economic Development and Québec Government, who lent their support to the launching of the event. The Salon also acknowledges the participation of its eight major media partners: Couleur Jazz 91.9, MusiquePlus, MusiMax, CIBL 101.5 FM, CKUT 90.3 FM, CHOM 97.7 FM, Voir and Hour weeklies. Le Festival International de Jazz de Montréal warmly thanks the complexe Desjardins for allowing us use of their space, right in the heart of the Grande-Place. For any more details concerning the MMMIS, check out the Salon’s Web site at www.mmmis.ca.