NAMM 2024- Not Just an Event

By Donnell Spencer Jr.

Drummers Extraordinaire- Donnell Spencer Jr. (L) and Billy Johnson. Both drummers are from Philadelphia. Photo by Donnell Spencer Jr.

Anaheim- California 2024- The NAMM Show 2024 in Anaheim, California, was not just an event, it was filled with various sounds, and a congregation of creativity that left us feeling very enthusiastic and filled with curiosity about many of the exhibits on display.

 

Prince’s piano on display. Photo by Donnell Spencer Jr.

With 1,600+ exhibitors representing 3,500+ brands from around the globe, The NAMM Show showcased innovative technologies, products, and trends that shape the future of the music industry while creating a week-long platform for personal connections and meetings that are a necessity for the growth of the music industry.

It was like a playground for musicians, producers and gear hunters from far and near!

The NAMM Show was filled with live performances by featured artists who blended genres and pushed the boundaries of musical expression, from Jazz, Rock, Soul, and R&B. For example, NAMM rallied the industry around its mission on Day Three of the Show highlighted by an emotional speech and on-stage performance from five-time Grammy winner Victor Wooten. Bringing the audience to its feet throughout his performance with messages of how music can bridge chaos and bring communities together, Wooten’s heartwarming words solidified the impact that the music industry can have on humanity when we work together to create more music makers.

While attending, we ran into old friends and made some new ones, including representatives from different companies, who, were willing to explain the instruments that were on display at their booths. Among the vendors that attended were Fender, Casio, d&B audiotechnic, DigiCo,   Adamson Systems Engineering, EAW, Meyer Sound, Solid State Logic, Audinate, Blackmagic Design, Genelec, Avid, QSC, Sennheiser, Alcons Audio, RCF, Electro-Voice, DPA Microphones, Waves, Shure, and many others.

Beyond the instruments and performances, the NAMM Show served as a hub for education, networking, workshops, panels, and discussions that included production and marketing.

The excitement over new gear, and the love of music created an atmosphere that made this an awesome event!

Our experience at the NAMM Show 2024 was nothing short of incredible!!!

For more information on NAMM, visit their website at www.namm.org.

Donnell Spencer Jr. is a sensational musician, composer and drummer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that has toured or worked with Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Jody Watley, El DeBarge, Destiny’s Child, Patti Austin, John Legend, Brian Culbertson and Boney James among many others. The professional musician is also a terrific photographer. Visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Gruuvdr, and his Instagram page, @donnellspencerjrphotography.

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is a not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $19.5 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of 15,400 global member companies and individual professionals with a global workforce of over 475,000 employees. NAMM events and members fund The NAMM Foundation’s efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music and advance active participation in music-making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit namm.org. The next NAMM Show will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center January 21-25, 2025.