I bet he visited the Phoenix music store where Manuel works to play the T2 for himself.



Ed: Thanks for the plug, but not only is Phoenix 800+ miles from where I live (San Francisco), but I'm afraid I'd not be remotely qualified to fill in for the incomprable organist extraordinaire Bob Freeman, especially because I've absolutely no background or experience as an 'organist'. On the other hand, because I play piano, perhaps I could convince them to let me fill in for an Elton John concert there. (just kidding)



Hi Tappas. I concur. With our buddy, Manuel Dorantes' excellent teaching credentials & arranger keyboard expertise, Bob Freeman will certainly be a wonderful USA ambassador to showcase the sound of Yamaha Tyros2 to thousands of baseball fans worldwide each day. Ok, your Diamondbacks are at/near the top in the MLB standings right now, so Yamaha Tyros2 makes the perfect winning match; but just you wait till your team arrives next week to meet our "Giants" on 'our' home turf: San Francisco

Ok, back on topic: Not only is Manuel a terrific organ- keyboard musician & technical expert, but like you Tappas, one of the 'nicest guys' in the business, and I feel privilidged to have developed personal friendships with. This Synthzone forum has provided the opportunity (for the 1st time) a chance for us arranger keyboardists worldwide to come together to develop lasting friendships with. I could never imagine this possibility before the age of the internet & Skype. Thank you Nigel & Synthzone.

Mr. Manuel Dorantes plays the Tyros2 & Korg PA80:




Scott

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 08-18-2006).]

Way to go, Manuel!

Thank you Scott, Tapas and everyone for your kind words:

One of the key factors was, that Bobby Freeman, Mike Carollo and me,(arranger soloist with a very nice friendly non-competitive environment) that play in the SAME Senior Center Tea Dances circle, and the people that goes to dance know us very well and make us comments about each of the performers, as I said in another posting, people notice the difference when I got the T2, well, that got around, Bobby lives close to one of the stores for the company I work, well, he went to audition the T2 and found our General Manager Tim Preskins, also a very good arranger player, and he told him if he needed to know something about the T2, to talk to me.
He contacted an former executive from Technics where Bobby was an artist, and this guy put him in contact with Yamaha arranger director, Mark, I think, he got into the arrangements of the endorsement and the rest is history.
I have assisted Bobby for the T2 tour/crash course and I will see him in a few days again.
As I mention at the beginning, there is another terrific performer that use the 9000 Pro, Mike Carollo, in fact, he just purchased from me my Korg PA60, that soon I will replace with either the Ketron SD5 or the PA1X.
There are others arranger users in the Valley too, they perform in other venues or they have a duet or a variation, so here they are a few:

Bob Roppolo Hammond X66 and SD1
Phillys and Roy Caldwel SD1 with midi guitar.
Lynn Taraski midi accordion w/XD3 Ketron
Cheri Leary Midi guitar w/SD1 Ketron
Alex K with his new G 70
Nathan twins VA7
CV Kelton I30

Juan Miguel Zarate - Tyros, PA50, and any keyboard type you put in front of him.

Samuel Ramirez 2 SD1s, MS100 and Triton Classic (he likes a lot of boards, and he can play too, he caters to the Latino community).
And many others too.


Thank you again !!

Arranger KB's & Ballroom Dancing
perfect together