The third annual Make Music, New York Winter “A Love Riot: Harmonabord Parade” took place in midtown Manhattan on Dec. 21st, 2013. As an event sponsor, Hohner Inc. donated 25 of their trademark melodicas to the first participants of the parade led by renowned jazz musician Jonathan Batiste.
Attracting those young and old, experienced and beginner, Batiste led his makeshift band on a walk down Broadway from Columbus Circle to Times Square. Belting holiday melodies such as Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman, and impromptu jazz riffs, Hohner Inc.’s melodicas filled midtown with music. Due to the instruments mobility, versatility, and fun sound, Batiste encourages people to play the melodica because of its ability to go from a playful to serious instrument. This versatility was showcased perfectly when Batiste and his band made a stop inside a Duane Reade convenience store to surprise the employees and customers with holiday show.
“After three years, Make Music Winter is becoming a real NYC tradition, just like Make Music New York on the summer solstice,” said President Aaron Friedman. “Someday, people will wonder how they got through the holidays before Hohner’s melodica parade came to town.”
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