Yamaha Corporation of America is now shipping the AvantGrand, a remarkable hybrid piano that digitally simulates the sound, as well as the physical experience of playing a fine grand piano—at a fraction of the cost of a traditional concert grand.

The piano’s state-of-the-art technology offers an exciting and affordable new option to music lovers who have dreamt of owning and playing the ultimate concert grand in their homes. The instrument is drawing raves from several classical pianists, and pop superstar Alicia Keys was one of the first artists to perform on the instrument after its recent music industry debut.

According to jazz legend Chick Corea, the AvantGrand “blew me away. I sat down and adjusted the volume to make it sound like a big piano and immediately went into reverence at the R&D department and how they pulled it off, because it’s quite an accomplishment.”

Five years ago, Yamaha charged its designers with a daunting task: to create the playing experience of a $125,000, nine-foot concert grand piano for one-fifth of the price and one-half the size. They rose to the challenge with the creation of the AvantGrand. Now, serious players with limited space or a limited budget need not sacrifice the look and feel of an acoustic grand for the smaller footprint of a digital piano.

The piano combines state-of-the art sound sampling technology, an ingenious speaker system, and an array of actuators that reproduce a piano’s acoustic vibrations. Four speakers are strategically located in the same positions as the four microphones used to sample the source instrument and two resonators reproduce the buildup of sound that a pianist hears and feels. An elegant instrument, the AvantGrand features exquisite craftsmanship, cabinetry and detailing.

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Jennifer Lopez or J.Lo as she is fondly known in the industry turns 40 today, making us look back at her accomplishments and looks. Linked to stars such as Ben Affleck, if there is one thing that she still holds without remorse would have to be that of her singing career.

Let us look back at J.Lo throughout the years. What a ride it has been! Happy Birthday 40th Jennifer Lopez!

*Photo Courtesy. Photos are from Yahoo/OMG

Warner Bros. Records officially confirmed the September 29th release in the U.S. (September 28 outside U.S.) of “CELEBRATION” – the ultimate compilation of Madonna songs. The songs on “Celebration” have all been remastered and selected by Madonna and her fans.

They cover the expanse of the Material Girl’s extraordinary career of hits including “Everybody,” “Express Yourself,” “Vogue” and “4 Minutes.” “Celebration” will be available in a two-CD set as well as a single CD. There will also be a “Celebration” DVD released simultaneously which includes the video visionary’s best videos including several that have never before been available on DVD.

The cover for “Celebration” was created by street pop artist “Mr. Brainwash” who is best known for “throwing modern cultural icons into a blender and turning it up to eleven.”

Madonna, a multi Grammy award winning singer, writer and producer has had over 12 No. 1 singles and has a record-smashing 39 No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs Chart – by far the most of any artist in the over 30 year history of the list.

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Karina Bradley knows that in the world of business, attractive women aren’t always taken seriously. While her supermodel looks are certainly the first thing people notice, they quickly discover there is a lot more behind Karina’s sultry look. As the owner of Karina Bradley Inc. she also has an equity interest in Synergized Media and TF Mafia Muzik. She clearly knows that it takes hard work and a singular focus to accomplish her personal and business goals.

During her third year attending Drexel University for Pre-Med, Karina switched directions and began to focus her attention on the business world. She studied hard and found positions where she could learn the skills needed to succeed in business. Then she landed the position of Vice President at Dealer Synergy, one of the top automotive retail training companies in the country. After making her mark in auto retailing, Karina returned to her first love, music.

With her strong desire to create music and get on the Pop Star track, Karina Bradley formed the best team in the industry to assist her in creating her debut album to be released later this year. First she enlisted master song writer and professional singer Jack Gafford. Jack has several albums; his most recent album is titled “No Vacancy.”

Then Phoreground Entertainment was chosen as the studio to record her first single, “Buy Me That” which included Jakk Frost as a featured artist on this song. The presence of Phoreground’s producer/engineer, L.A. Dubb insured Karina was in good hands. L.A. Dubb has worked with Snoop Dog, Michael Jackson, Usher, Madonna, Dr. Dre and Chelsea Lynn.

Karina’s just completed single will be released in three versions; the pop solo version, a hip-hop remix version by Jakk Frost, who along with Philadelphia Freeway recently worked with Wyclef Jean on one of their songs, and an underground version by DJ Steven Zor.

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Today, The Hymn Project announced their classic hymn accompaniment on CD including 200 piano hymns. Unlike other church choir music with extensive orchestrations, this seven, full-length CD collection is performed on solo piano directly from a church hymnal, making it a simple and affordable hymn resource for small groups.

“This is the first collection of its kind, offering an extensive, archival-quality collection of piano hymns,” says Tasha Golden, The Hymn Project Co-founder. “And in the past, there was no hymnal resource for military chaplains, funeral directors, assisted living facilities, and others looking for simple, church choir music free of overwhelming musical embellishments and orchestrations. We decided to fill this need and offer affordable and classic hymn accompaniment on CD packed with 200 piano hymns for numerous occasions.”

Performed by professional, church choir accompanist Laura Ruble, The Hymn Project contains piano hymns perfect for:

• Worship music;
• Funeral music;
• Wedding music;
• Chaplains;
• Music therapists;
• Military chaplains (Air Force hymn music, U.S. Marine Corps hymn music, etc.);
• Retirement and nursing homes;
• Conference centers, libraries and camps;
• Meditation and relaxation;
• Background music;
• Hospital chapels;
• Prison fellowships and ministries; and
• A treasured gift for a friend, loved one or music lover!

“My family would have loved to have had CDs to sing along with at small church services, but nothing like that was available,” says pianist Ruble. “At several local churches, congregations often had to go without an accompanist on Sunday mornings so there was a huge need for this CD collection.”

“In addition to military chaplains, activity directors at assisted living facilities have welcomed The Hymn Project, using music as a form of therapy to Alzheimer’s patients,” says Golden. “To know that this music can offer therapy, that singing together can give hope to troops overseas, and that these church choir hymns can be a comfort to people who are grieving is truly rewarding, and this is where the music should be.”

For The Hymn Project Sets 1 and 2 with all 200 hymns on seven CDs, the cost is $99.00. For Set 1 with 150 hymns on five CDs, the cost drops to $75.00. And for Set 2, with 50 hymns on two CDs, the cost is only $25.00.