The Avedis Zildjian Company hosted its 8th UK Artist Session on 1 April 2011, which also marked the official opening of the new Zildjian Artist Facility at Cato Music Ltd, London.
Approximately 130 Zildjian Artists from all over the UK were treated to new sounds from a selection of over 100 Sound Lab Prototypes, cymbals that are not yet in production, the feedback to which was overwhelmingly positive.
Hosted by Zildjian’s Tina Clarke (International Artist Relations Manager) and Bob Wiczling (International Marketing Manager), together with colleagues from Zildjian Headquarters, John DeChristopher (Vice President, Artist Relations & Event Marketing Worldwide), Brad Baker (VP Marketing Worldwide), and Paul Francis (Director of Research & Design/Quality). A new addition to the UK Artist Session this year was the inclusion of Zildjian’s new initiative, Gen16. Gen16’s Business Manager, Derek Zimmerman, was on hand to demonstrate the new electronic sound technology including the Zildjian Gen16 Digital Vault and Gen16 AE (Acoustic Electronic) Cymbals, which won Best in Show at Winter NAMM earlier this year and two MIPA awards at this year’s Musikmesse.
The Event was also enjoyed by many of Zildjian's industry friends including James Laney, Lindsay Harvey and Andy Sadowski from Headstock Distribution, Johnnie Allan, Yard Gavrilovic, Nick Simms, and Jamie Henry (John Henry Enterprises). The UK Drum Media were also represented by Rhythm Magazine, Drummer Magazine, Mike Dolbear of www.mikedolbear.com, and new industry web-based magazine, iDrum.
Says Tina Clarke, "It was great to welcome so many of our Artists to the new Artist Facility at Cato Music Ltd. This year the Artists were treated to one of the biggest selections of Sound Lab Prototypes ever presented by Zildjian, with the concept and manufacturing of each all expertly explained by Paul Francis. It was wonderful to give the Artists the opportunity to talk to Paul, as the creator of the new Zildjian sounds. There was something to interest everyone, from beautiful K Constantinople Rides to unique, and very unusual, percussion pieces. Our aim of the Artist Sessions is to bring all of our Artists together in a social setting, to freely discuss cymbal and drumstick ideas, we truly value our Artists input and feedback – they are very much a key element to our business and new product releases."
Artists in attendance included: Adam Bushell (Brighton Institute of Modern Music), Adam Falkner, Aicha Djidjelli (Daisy Dares You), Alun Harries (Academy of Contemporary Music), Andrew Small (Ind), Andrew Wilkinson (Mr Hudson), Andy Bews, Aron Harris (The Last Republic), Ashley Soan (Ind), Ben Calvert (Calvin Harris), Ben Kirby, Ben Jolliffe (Young Guns), Bob Henrit (Ind/The Kinks), Brian Bennett (Ind/The Shadows), Chris Bussey (TrioVD), Chris Maitland, Chris Hayden (Florence and the Machine), Chris Prendergast (The Kooks), Christopher Taylor, Chuck Sabo (Ind), Colin Woolway (Drumsense), Daisy Palmer (Goldfrapp), Dan Hetherton (Elliott Minor), Darby Todd, Dave Clarke (MusicTech Schools), David Westlake, Dawne Adams (Ind/Duran Duran), Dylan Howe, Elliott Andrews (Kate Nash), Elliott Henshaw, Fergal Lawler (The Cranberries), Frank Tontoh (Ind), Gary Husband (Ind), Gary Powell (The Libertines), Gary Marshall, Gary Wallis, Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree), Geoff Holroyde, Gilson Lavis (Jools Holland Band), Guy Davis, Harry Meade, Holly Hardy, Ian Matthews (Kasabian), Ian Mosely (Marillion), Jackson Ellis-Leach (Sophie Ellis-Bexter), Jamie Dawson, Javier Weyler (Stereophonics), Jeremy Stacey (Ind), Jerry Brown (Girls Aloud), Jim McDermott, Joe Yoshida, John Marter (SAS Band), Jordi Rosello, Josh Morgan (The Subways), Kas Hussain, Kevin Whitehead (Barclay James Harvest), Kevin Earley (Royal Ballet Sinfonia), Laura Fares (Sam Sparro), Lea Mullen (Ind), Leks Wood, Liam Bradley (Boyzone/Rufus Wainwright), Lisa Gordon, Mark Holub (Led Bib), Mark Mondesir (Ind), Mark Pusey (JLS/Olly Murs), Mark Richardson (Skunk Anansie), Martin Carling (Groove Armada), Martin France (Ind), Martin Oldham, Mathew Martin (BRIT School), Matt Unsworth (Dyscarnate), Matthew Racher, Meb Jago (The Ghost of a Thousand), Michael Spearman (Everything Everything), Mike Richardson, Mike Sturgis (ACM), Nathan Allen (The Score), Neal Wilkinson (Ind), Nick Millard, Nick Rice (Hadouken!), Pascal Consoli, Paul Clarvis, Paul Stewart (The Feeling), Paul Jones, Paul Francis (Educator), Pete Cater, Pete Lockett, Pete Riley, Peter Huntington, Phil Solomon, Preston Hayman, Rich Chamberlain, Richard Brook, Rick Finlay, Rod Quinn, Russell Gair, Sam Agard (Paloma Faith/Prof Green), Sam Doyle (Maccabees), Sam Nadel, Sebastian Sternberg (Marina and the Diamonds), Simon Edgoose, Simon Mellish, Spike T Smith (T4), Steve Alexander, Steve Ansell (Blood Red Shoes), Steve Hewitt (Love Amongst Ruin), Stuart Elliott (Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel), Tim Weller, Vinnie Lammi, and Travis Marc.
For photos of the event and the new UK office, go here or click on the photo below (will launch Zildjian's Flickr page):
