After recently being acquired by JAM Industries, Rhythm Tech is getting ready to begin the next great chapter in its 36-year history of pioneering meaningful innovations for modern drummers and percussionists.  According to company founder Richard Taninbaum, the best is still yet to come for the company that, among other things, introduced the now legendary crescent-shaped Rhythm Tech tambourine in 1980.

“Rhythm Tech is at a very exciting inflection point in its history,” Taninbaum said today. “As a JAM company we are now able to realize objectives that were previously out of reach for a company our size. New product areas, along with potential synergies with other brands under the JAM umbrella, open the future of the Rhythm Tech brand in many new and exciting ways. As the brand’s steward, I'm thrilled to continue to play an important role in this development and I look forward to contributing my efforts to help move the brand in these new directions.”

According to Taninbaum, creating something new, useful and accepted by an industry rooted in tradition is always very gratifying. Although the art of music is constantly evolving, the tools used to make music are mostly ‘old friends.’ Bringing something new and accepted into the process is what moves him to think about these tools in new ways.  “I feel the quality and value of the instruments being produced in today's MI industry are vastly superior to those of prior periods,” he emphasized.

“Due to advanced manufacturing techniques and materials, even budget instruments are more playable and less expensive, offering the greatest value to the armature and professional musician of any time in our history,” Taninbaum stated. “For this reason, it is more important than ever for companies working in this industry to bring something more to the market. Innovation is the way for a brand to differentiate itself in a crowed field and Rhythm Tech will continue to differentiate itself through innovation.  That’s the core of our DNA as a brand.”

Indeed, Rhythm Tech’s roots in the music performance and production community run deep, even as it stays true to its habits of ‘shaking’ things up.  Over the years, Rhythm Tech has introduced a number of classics, turning heads with the likes of the Trigger Triangle, EGGZ, and Canz, as well as its Stickball drumstick shaker and its HatTrick and HatShake G2 based shakers.

Looking to the future, Taninbaum noted, while not giving away too many details on new product plans, that, “Putting a unique slant on traditional drum and percussion instruments and accessories has always been Rhythm Tech's prime focus. In the next phase of the company's development I can see further expansion in this area creating useful tools for a changing music scene along with bringing our perspective to less traditional products as well, such as electronic and midi instruments. Additionally, the areas of home recording, DJ, and EDM are all exciting possibilities for product development integration of the Rhythm Tech esthetic and brand personality. Wherever there is a beat there is an opportunity for Rhythm Tech product development.” 
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About KMC Music
Headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, KMC Music (www.kmcmusic.com) is the industry’s oldest and largest high value added distributor of musical instruments, related MI pro audio products, and accessories.  Part of the JAM Industries U.S. Music Group, KMC Music is dedicated to helping its 6,000 dealers to build their business profitably by offering more than 20,000 SKUs that are supported by in-field sales and merchandising support; the iconic 1 Stop Product Catalog; a powerful, easy to use online dealer portal; a 98% fill rate; same-day shipping, exemplary service — and the industry’s most competitive pricing.
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LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Multi-Award winning jazz, pop and R&B group TAKE 6 are more animated than ever!  In their new animated character form, the sextet is joining Reba, the main character of the book series and much anticipated app entitled "REBA TO THE RESCUE," which will be released imminently by Spoken Spices, LLC. Take 6, with a recording of the "ABC" song made just for Reba, will help children learn their alphabet. There are plans for at least two more songs to help preschoolers learn both academic and life lessons.

Cicely C. Mitchell created the children's learning series that combines elements of jazz, learning and love! Reba is a "pint-sized princess" who loves assisting others. From schoolwork to recycling, Reba is ready, willing and able to come to the rescue with assistance and encouragement. "And now the 'Kings of A Capella' are helping to teach kids their ABC's and more," said Ms. Mitchell.

"Reba" is a series of informative and encouraging stories geared toward preschoolers. Each story will feature a lesson about life and learning put to music and filled with fun-loving characters. The "Reba to the Rescue"© series is the result of over a decade of experience working as an educator, with K-12 children, to compile information about development objectives. The endeavor has been designed to help children develop solid foundations in reading, writing, comprehension, life skills and vocabulary. Additionally, it furthers pupils' awareness and interest in high quality literature as well as jazz, from an early age, with the aim of bettering their preparation for success in their higher education years. The series and app are appealing to diverse cultures, and are available thus far in English, Spanish and Japanese.

SOURCE Spoken Spices, LLC.

April is National Stress Awareness Month and Casio America, Inc.is encouraging everyone to pick up an instrument and play to help alleviate stress. Whether you are practicing scales, playing a favorite song or improvising a tune, incorporating music into your daily routine can help improve physical well-being and shift moods.

Research from Michigan State University (MSU) indicates that listening to music and playing a musical instrument stimulates the production of opiates and endorphins, the 'feel good' hormones in our bodies, which can result in improved blood flow and blood pressure. Further studies from MSU show that listening to music and playing a musical instrument are frequent strategies used to deal with stress[1].

"Music can be an extremely powerful outlet for stress relief and can be used to improve emotional health, whether someone is playing, listening to, or singing along with their favorite tune," said Stephen Schmidt, Vice President of Casio's Electronic Musical Instrument Division. "Casio is proud to offer a variety of digital pianos and keyboards that can help reduce tension and facilitate relaxation. There is no better time than now to start playing an instrument and taking the time to unwind with music."

Casio's portfolio of electronic musical instruments offers a comprehensive feature-set geared to enrich the overall music experience for both beginners and experts. For example, Casio's Privia PX-150 digital piano features a combination of keyboard action and a powerful sound engine to provide a new level of detail, nuance and expression for a superior grand piano experience in the lightweight and stylish design that Privia is known for. Other features of the Privia PX-150 include the following:

• Casio's proprietary sound source, "AiR" (Acoustic and intelligent Resonator), which delivers unmatched realism and detail
• 88-note Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard
• Ebony and ivory textured keys to reproduce the touch feeling of an acoustic piano
• 4 Layer Stereo Piano
• 18 built-in instrument tones including strings, organs, electric pianos and bass
• Duet Mode to split the keyboard into two equal ranges, allowing both student and teacher to use the piano simultaneously

To learn more about Casio's line of Privia digital pianos or full portfolio of electronic musical instruments, please visit www.CasioMusicGear.com. 

About Casio America, Inc.
Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957,Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com.

About Privia
Casio's Privia line of digital pianos redefines the digital piano category with unprecedented sound quality and performance features in stylish, elegant designs that are supremely portable. Featuring superb grand piano sounds and a new Tri-Sensor 88 note scaled hammer action keyboard and some models weighing only 25 lbs., Casio's Privia digital pianos are versatile enough for any home, studio, or stage. The award winning grand piano sound in Privia has been dramatically improved and now utilizes more than three times the memory of the previous generation for a more natural piano tone. In addition, Casio's new proprietary sound source "AiR" (Acoustic and intelligent Resonator) provides unmatched realism, detail and seamless dynamics for a remarkably expressive and powerful performance. For additional information on Casio's Privia digital pianos, please visit www.CasioMusicGear.com.