Brian Culbertson tries the piano (left), while Hugh Sung, Sam Sorensen and
Daniel Ho wait for their turn at the keyboard
"If you build it, they will come" could have been the NAMM Show slogan for Wessell, Nickel & Gross, manufacturer of high performance piano parts. In its pre-show publicity, WNG invited "all pianists attending NAMM" to come to its booth, try out its new composite action and give feedback. Since NAMM is all about trying new products and exchanging ideas, scores of great pianists turned up and shared their views:
Brian Culbertson, award-winning Smooth Jazz Pianist and Composer: "When a piano feels and sounds this good, you don't ever want to stop playing."
Hugh Sung, Faculty, Curtis Institute of Music: "I applaud the innovation behind the Wessell, Nickel & Gross composite action parts, and the ways that they equip serious pianists to be unfettered in their creative pursuits and performances."
Daniel Ho, 5-time Grammy Winner, Producer, Pianist, Composer and Arranger: "The WNG composite action is smooth and fine. I love it---a touch you can count on to respond even at ppp."
Sam Sorensen, Pianist and Composer: "The Wessell, Nickel & Gross composite action is even and very responsive. I love playing it."
Brandon Rogers tries a little R&B and jazz on the WNG action
Brandon Rogers, Pop/R&B/Jazz Vocalist and Pianist, Season 6 finalist "American Idol": "Fantastic response, crystal-clear tone all the way to the bottom. It was great---hard to stop playing!"
Bill Cunliffe, Grammy winning Arranger, Jazz Pianist and Composer: "Very responsive action, excellent clarity of tone. Congrats on having the best piano at the show!"
Mike Garson, Jazz Pianist, Composer and Arranger: "Excellent responsiveness."
Mike Lang, Pianist and top freelance Recording Artist for films and TV: "Very nice responsiveness, tone is terrifically clear, strong ability to project, great fullness of sound. Very nice!"
Richard Bosworth, DMA, Concert Pianist and Teacher: "Perfect. I can trust the action. It seems to anticipate what I want."
Classical artists Viktor Valkov and Nadine Andre evaluated the WNG action with works by Chopin and Ravel respectively; La Palabra (in a publicity photo) tried a variety of music.
Viktor Valkov, MM (Juilliard), Concert Pianist: "This action, like no other, gives you the sensation that your fingers are playing directly on the strings. An amazing feeling. The tone that it produces is extremely clear and beautiful. With this action the responsiveness is extraordinary; it feels as if you could do anything that your imagination would allow."
Nadine Andre, Concert Pianist, Accompanist and Teacher: "Good contact...the whole depression of keys feels even and weighted...great balance, easy to voice, very forgiving. Beautiful."
La Palabra, Band Leader, Singer, Pianist, Producer and Arranger: "Very fast retraction and settlement. Very clear tone, very rich sound. More than a regular piano action it provides a very clear and distinct sound. I feel it's a great advantage to Earth because it's eco-friendly."
Tom Keene, Pianist, Arranger, Producer, Teacher: "On all counts, Excellent."
Corey Allen, Composer, Arranger, Pianist: "Great...Tops...Amazing!"
Ron Tanski, Blues, Jazz, Gospel Pianist, Singer, Composer: "Perfect. There's no hesitation from thought to music. Hands down the smoothest, fastest, most responsive action I've ever played. Also incredibly powerful."
Sylvain Vallee, Film/TV Composer: "Excellent for ultimate pianissimo to fortissimo."
Wesley Nagy, Producer, Arranger, Composer, Keyboardist: "Very responsive, dynamic and smooth action."
Steven Allen, Musical Director, Teacher, Musician: "Excellent action produced a wonderful, room-filling sound. Absolutely excellent feel."
Jon Dowling, Pianist and Composer: "I was really quite impressed with the action and movement on the piano board. There was no rigidity in the keys and it was extremely touch-sensitive. The tone of the piano was crystal clear and very resonant."
Dennis Hamm, Jazz Pianist, Composer and Teacher: "Responsiveness is perfect! The action provides a lovely tone, fullness of sound."
Brent Hay, Pianist: "Excellent breadth of tonality and control."
John R. Varn, Pianist and Keyboardist: "Responsiveness was excellent, tight. Brilliant, clear, cutting tone. Impressive fullness of sound, ability to project was amazing."
John Meadows, Pianist: "Wonderful sensitivity to my touch. I felt like I was playing an old friend."
Eric Levy, Pianist and Keyboardist (Garajmahal): "I started playing pianissimo, but had no problem getting as loud as I might desire. Great! Wonderful action!"
Leon Turner, Musician, Songwriter and Producer: "Great responsiveness!"
Information about Wessell, Nickel & Gross high performance piano parts can be found on its website.