Photography courtesy of Bob Steshetz

On Friday, Jan. 26, this writer caught two highly-anticipated artists who made return appearances to the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. 

Alicia Witt with Brian Pruitt at Casio on Friday, Jan. 26. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz

Early in the day, Casio America, Inc. hosted a performance by singer-songwriter/keyboardist Alicia Witt performing on the company's signature "Harmonious Mustard" PX-S7000 Privia digital piano. Witt impressed me when I caught her at the previous NAMM Show held in April 2023, so I made sure to catch her full set this year. This time around she was joined by percussionist Brian Pruitt whose nuanced playing added additional power to Witt's six-track set.

Witt opened with "Someone To Write Me A Song" off her latest album Witness. A beautiful song, the track showcased Witt's strong talents as a keyboardist, lead vocalist and lyricist. The equally lovely "Chasing Shadows" featured a strong mix of singer-songwriter and melodic stylings. The driving, more rock-flavored "About Me" (featuring a strong jam between Witt and Pruitt to dynamically end the cut), an artful cover of Billy Joel's "She's Always a Woman" and set-ending original "Witness" were among the other highlights of her performance. Learn more about this outstanding artist at her official website HERE.

Guitarist Leo Fujii demonstrates the DimensionTripper at Casio. Photo: Robert Kinsler

While I was at Casio I checked out the eye-opening Dimension Tripper, a wireless effect controller operated by a guitar strap. Imagine operating a wah-wah pedal without using your feet; the Dimension Tripper allows a guitarist to use their guitar strap to utilize various effects while playing. The printed material I picked up said it has not yet been decided whether the product will be sold outside of Japan; my hope is guitarists in America will be able to get their hands on this fun music-minded gadget soon! Get more details on Casio America, Inc. at Casio.com.

Lindsey Stirling headlining on the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage.

Headlining on the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage was acclaimed violinist-composer-dancer Lindsey Stirling. Backed only by a drummer and keyboardist/guitarist, Stirling's full-length set allowed the artist to perform a wide range of material touching on her singular sound that fused classical, electronica, hip-hop, rock, pop and other styles into a signature sonic brew delivered as she completed intricate choreographed movements with four other dancers. In addition to a moving instrumental cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," she delighted fans with the triumphant "Crystallize," dance-minded "Don't Let This Feeling Fade" and dazzling "Shatter Me," the latter featuring Stirling's virtuoso violin work.