Artists

He has been the keyboardist in the rock band Deep Purple since 2002, succeeding Jon Lord. He has had a long career, playing with such a great acts as : Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Whitesnake, Colosseum II, Sinner, Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth, Rainbow, Ten, Divlje jagode and Living Loud.

Florian says about SK-EX and Kawai's finest technicians:

I had the privilege to enjoy the astonishing qualities of the Shigeru Kawai piano during the 9^th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition. At a time of intense pressure and stress associated with participation in a prestigious international competition, it was extremely comforting to know I could fully rely on a superb instrument. The perfection of the keyboard regulation combined with the infinite possibilities of sound expression made the Shigeru Kawai into a dream piano, and it was my clear choice from the very beginning. I am also grateful to the brilliant technical team that took care of the piano throughout the competition, and who were able to perform incredible adjustments at my request. I will always cherish the precious memories I have from the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, chief among them the discovery of the world-class Shigeru Kawai piano and its virtuoso technicians committed to excellence.

Romanian pianist Florian Mitrea was a double-prizewinner at both the 2015 Hamamatsu International Piano　Competition and the 2014 ARD International Piano Competition in Munich. Winner of the Lagny-sur-Marne International Competition in France, Florian is currently studying under Boris Petrushansky at the International Piano Academy “Incontri col Maestro” in Imola, Italy. He has previously graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he currently teaches chamber music. He has performed at King’s Place in London, Colston Hall in Bristol, the Bavarian Radio Studios in Munich, the Schwetzingen Festspielhaus, the Rokoko-Saal in Bayreuth, the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan hall, and the Seoul Arts Centre. He has debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra at St John Smith Square London, Colegium Music in Basel, the Bucharest Philharmonic and the Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra.

Grammy Award winning keyboardist, producer, arranger and composer Francisco Loyo studied music at the Conservatorio de Musica in Mexico City in the late 1970s, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and piano. During and after that time he was an in-demand keyboard player in Top 40 bands in Mexico City and Acapulco. In 1982 he relocated to New York and played in various bands there until 1985, when he moved to Los Angeles to take a gig as a house musician at Disneyland.

In 1993 Francisco was asked to join Luis Miguel’s touring band as the primary keyboardist and has been an arranger and also the musical director for the band since 1998. In addition he has written and produced songs on many of Luis Miguel’s most popular albums, including Mis Romances and the Grammy award winning Mexico En La Piel and Amarte es un Placer, which won three Latin Grammys including Album of the Year.

Grandbrothers are the sum of unique parts: Progressive Swiss engineer/mechanic/sofware designer Vogel and German-Turkish pianist Sarp. Their albums twins Sarp’s piano skills with Vogel’s talent for both building the formidably intricate mechanics with which he exploits his partner’s instrument and also designing its software. Sarp works at his keyboard while; from behind his own computer keys, Vogel live-samples his partner’s notes, triggering further effects with the aid of homemade apparatus that physically manipulate the piano’s strings and body. Grandbrothers’ technically innovative, thrillingly distinctive work: two ingenious minds, perfectly in tune, relentlessly exploring new ideas.

Comment:

"We've had the privilege of playing live on different Kawai grand pianos. Because of our slightly more complex setup, which always takes some time, we have to be able to rely on the grand piano, its playability, and the mood. This was the case for all Kawai instruments we played so far. In the studio we also use a GX-2, which impresses us with its playability and warmth and inspires us while composing. Thank you for everything so far, we look forward to working with Kawai more in the future."

Herbert Grönemeyer belongs to Germany’s most successful musicians and has created some of the countries best-selling albums. His relationship with Kawai goes back more than 20 years. Starting with the legendary EP308, CA digital pianos, the MP11 stage piano and the VPC-1 – Herbert Grönemeyer knows and loves Kawai pianos like no other.

Comment:

"Almost 25 years ago, shortly after "Bochum", I played my first Kawai instrument. Today I use the MP11 and VPC1 on stage and in the studio, relying on their wonderful digital quality and its carefully weighted wooden keyboard action. Many pieces of "Human" and "Twelve" have been written on the Kawai RX-6 grand piano. Kawai has the sound that I like and which inspires me. Thanks for the good cooperation. I'm looking forward to all the good things that will continue to happen in the future."

"Wow!! When I first heard her I was totally blown away. She is such a phenomenal player. You will be shocked at her gospel musicianship. Close your eyes when she's playing and you'll be amazed and shocked at what she gets out of the keyboard. "

— Andrae Crouch

Hailing from South Korea, Isha Love has been called "brilliant," "astonishing" and "remarkably original." She has garnered a myriad of accolades on both sides of the Pacific for her soulful and eclectic sounds on the piano, B3 and synthesizer.

Love began playing piano at the age of five and honed her craft at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance. While at Berklee, Love was hired as the primary accompanist for the Voice Department and received numerous invitations to play with such well-established artists as Andrae Crouch, Frank McComb, Lisa McClendon, Kim Burrell and Barbara Morrison, among others.

Today Love is pursued by many artists and producers who look to her masterful keyboard playing and musical sensibnilities for their studio and stage projects. Love is currently writing, arranging and recording her orginal compositions scheduled to be released this year.

Jake Clayton is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist with a long list of instruments played, including piano, fiddle, dobro, banjo, and mandolin. Although still in his 20’s, Jake has established himself as a top Nashville musician, performing now with both the legendary Tanya Tucker and with chart topping country artist Jimmy Wayne. Jake accompanied Jimmy Wayne on country music’s largest tour of 2009, headlined by Brad Paisley.

Jake also travels back to his hometown area to play traditional bluegrass music with Iron Weed, a group based out of Columbia, Missouri. Recently, Iron Weed traveled to China and performed in multiple venues and on several television shows throughout the country. These performances included an appearance on CC TV’s equivalent to America’s “The Tonight Show”, a performance at the legendary Cinderella club in Jinan, and a very rare opportunity of playing for the Taoist monks in Laoshan, China!

Legendary rockabilly pianist Jason D. Williams has joined the ranks of musical artists endorsing Kawai instruments. He has spent a lifetime behind the piano connecting with country and rock 'n' roll greats while creating a persona that's 100% original. Widely regarded as one of today’s best rockabilly piano players, Jason is a spirited, take no prisoners performer.

During his 30+ year career, Jason D. Williams has been featured on countless TV and radio programs, from MTV and VH1 to PBS and NPR. He has also been the subject of many news articles, including a feature article in the November 2011 issue of Keyboard magazine.

Rolling Stone magazine once noted: “There hasn’t been raw, vintage boogie this solid since Jerry Lee lost his steam in the Seventies."

A wild man onstage, Jason credits influences like Jerry Lee Lewis, Moon Mulligan, Memphis Slim and Al Jolsen for helping to develop his vast repertoire and seemingly endless energy. “I’ve always welcomed the comparisons; my influences were some of the greatest entertainers ever to be seen."

Not much needs to be written about Jean-Jacques, who was born in Paris in 1947. For decades his presence lightens up the German rock & roll music industry. His discography reads like the who-is-who of German music history. Collaboration with Frumpy, Atlantis, Randy Pie, Eric Burdon, Caro, H.R. Kunz, Westernhagen, Ulla Meinecke, Nino De Angelo, Klaus Lage, Milva, Stephan Remmler and many more speak for themselves. Nevertheless, he is most certainly known since 1975 as the "Keyman" in Udo Lindenberg's Panic Orchestra and since 1977 equally important for the Peter Maffay band.

Comment:

"In 1979 in Hamburg, I bought a baby grand from Kawai from my savings, and its full sound in my living room totally amazed me. A few years later, I stood in the middle of the Kawai booth at the Frankfurt Music Fair. We've a close connection since that day until today and for the last 30 years, I've tried just about everything on acoustic wings and electric pianos on the market. To me with the MP11SE and MP7SE new peaks have been reached and my wishes for appearance, touch and sound are completely fulfilled.I would like to thank the team of Kawai for the fantastic cooperation, the special support and the gratitude. I'm looking forward to the next 40 years!"

"Glass of wine & candlelight music"... perfectly describes the intimate melodies of award winning Seattle based solo pianist - composer Joe Bongiorno, a Kawai piano artist.

After abandoning his classical training as a child, Joe returned to the piano in his late 20's and discovered a wonderful channel of

peace & emotional release. All of Joe's solo piano recordings are self produced at his Piano Haven Recording Studio.

“Into the Wind will thrill Joe Bongiorno’s fans… smooth and melodic with an undercurrent of passion, conveying an array of emotions and experiences, his best work yet!”

– Kathy Parsons, Mainly Piano

“Mesmerized surrounds the listener with such irresistible, serene melodies that it would be difficult to not fall under the music’s spell. Bongiorno’s carefully nuanced playing flows effortlessly throughout the album’s entirety, perfect for late night piano lovers.”

– Bill Binkelman, New Age Retailer

“Joe's CD 'Destined' indeed qualifies as an album of timeless beauty. If there were music in the Garden of Eden, this might well be it!” – David Nevue, Whisperings Solo Piano Radio

Fans describe Joe Yamada's music as “enthralling,” "romantic," "inspiring," "beautiful," and "relaxing." Whether its live from a concert stage or streaming from online music sites such as Pandora and iTunes, this Seattle area composer has been sharing his solo piano music with the world for over a decade.

“Joe Yamada’s music shines directly from his essence...a kind and soulful man, with a loving touch. He plays thoughtful, understated music, but still stands out from the crowd!”

-- David Lanz, Grammy Nominated Pianist

"Joe Yamada’s playing is expressive and colorful without being flashy. The 'flash' is in the sincerity of the music and how it communicates from one soul to the next."

-- Kathy Parsons, MainlyPiano.com

"Yamada's melodies will be singing in your head long after you shut off the music. It is sure to warm your heart, inspire your spirit & grace your soul with peace. Just take a listen!"

-- Joe Bongiorno, Piano Haven Studio

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, John-Paul Kaplan is a one of a kind entertainer. Audiences, clients, and fans are always thrilled by the versatility, captivating arrangements and professionalism of this young pianist and composer. Kaplan, through the inspiration of his family, began studying the piano at the age of seven. He studied classical music with Doreen DeZur and jazz with Mark Streder. He was an outstanding pianist for his age, achieving top honors on the piano competition circuit.

He has performed for such celebrities as Roger Williams, B.B. King, Ramsey Lewis, Harold Ramis, Vanessa Williams, Goran Visnic, and Tony Bennett, among many others. Kaplan has been entertaining audiences since 1996. He has performed at parties, hotels, churches, and other public and private events, traveling throughout the country performing in different cities.