Released on = January 11, 2007, 11:14 am

Press Release Author = imajinnWEST

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = IMAJINNWEST DESIGNS 'ALTERED EGO' FOR TROMBONIST NELSON
HARRISON

Press Release Body = January 2 2007 ushered in a unique New Year's birth, 'Betto a
character designed by Djinn Carl Lewis and spawned by Pittsburgh native, trombonist
and veteran of the Count Basie Orchestra, Nelson Harrison.
Constructed from an Amati brand pocket cornet the trombetto is a one-of-a-kind brass
instrument it was conceived in 1980 by former trumpet and baritone horn player
turned trombonist, Dr. Harrison. Fitted with a trombone mouthpiece, which gives it
the timbre of a velvety-rich French horn/flugelhorn combination, the final version
was commissioned then custom-crafted in 1990 by Ted Weir. Author and publisher of
\"The World According to Bop,\" Nelson presently holds a Regents' Lectureship at
University of California, Santa Cruz in whole-brain jazz and creative writing on The
Metaphysics of Music' as well as the Living Encyclopedia of Global African Music
project.
The 'Betto character began as a discussion in 2004 between Mr. Lewis, Dr. Harrison
and Miraflores Music's Marcia Migét on the concept Internet and digital imaging
usage to market and create branding for Jazz musicians. The intent is to create a
vehicle that captures the attention of the populace and educates, especially youth,
to the rich heritage of Classical American Music and its historical impact on the
world. In this current technological coming of age of the Musician the presence of
Jazz and Latin artists needs to be as visible and multiplatform as the Pop icons.
This is the underlying reason for the JazzIcons© Project. Last year saw the
development of MeeJ, a flute-nosed, keyboard-chested, alto-winged creature splashed
on the site of pianist/flutist/saxophonist Ms. Migét paired with her signature
sound. MeeJ is the focal character in her animated project-in-development and
product line prominent on www.mee-j.com.
A photographic artist represented in six major museum collections including the
Smithsonian, imajinnWEST's Djinn Lewis incorporates caricatures of musicians and
images from the 'captured' laser illusions within his oeuvre to create the
JazzIcons. The firm consults with the musician on appropriate usage, products,
market research and researches manufacturers willing and able to produce the Limited
Edition goods. The end results are quite identifiable thus establishing a 'brand'
for the musician.
"We at imajinnWEST are extremely enthused at Marcia and Nelson's participation and
our collective vision. As we step forward with this concept for the Classical
American musicians I see the ability to re-capture a segment of the marketplace that
is visually-oriented. This also begins a process of creating vehicles to engage our
youth.", stated Mr. Lewis.

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