After being delayed from the intended January dates and missing 2021 entirely, Pearl River Piano Group experienced a successful NAMM Show, held at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.
To Leng Tshua, director of global sales and marketing of Pearl River Piano, the event felt especially uplifting as it brought together so many of the company’s dealers after such a long delay.
“We set up a private exhibition room for the show that was designed to feature whole new concepts and to premiere new Pearl River Point of Sale materials,” Leng said. “We had a full house and were also honored by visits from many industry VIP friends, including former executive vice president at Yamaha Corporation USA Terry Lewis, members of the Piano Buyer group including Larry Fine, and Christian Wissmuller of MMR.”
For the June 3, 4 and 5th event, the company shipped 16 of its finest pianos from China. New products were introduced, including the Pearl River 5’3” P9 and 4’10” P8 grand pianos that feature ebony black wood keys, redesigned cabinet, and PR2.0 hammers, which drew accolades for their warm tone.
Ritmüller debuted its 6’ Superior RS183 grand piano with brass hardware, German Röslau wire, copper wound bass strings, an all-spruce soundboard, PR2.0 hammers with imported Wurzen AA grade German white outer felt, and elegant blue felt.
New Pearl River upright models made their first appearance, including the 46.5” PL1 European Series in scratch-resistant MFC satin walnut finish, the 46.5” UP118T Traditional Series in PVC polished ebony, and the 49.5” UP126T Traditional Series in polyester polished ebony.
A new hand-rubbed ebony satin finish premiered on the 52” Kayserburg KA6X upright and the 6’2” Pearl River GP188A grand piano. The new 5’3” Kayserburg GH160C grand piano made an appearance with a redesigned cabinet and straight legs with brass end caps.
During the show, Leng Tshua was asked to participate in an oral history interview for the NAMM archives. “To be included in this ongoing collection of narratives that cover innovative creations, the evolution of musical instruments, ground-breaking musicians, and the ever-changing world of music retail is an amazing honor,” Leng said. “To join a long list of industry luminaries such as Hartley Peavey, Bob Moog, B. B. King, Ray Kurzweil, and Herbie Hancock, is beyond flattering.”
Leng also made a point to give special thanks to the team who made NAMM 2022 possible for Pearl River, including Peter Giles, General Manager of Pearl Music Distribution LLC, David Davis and Shelley Conn of MCD Advertising, Sherry Carlisle Smith of Miller Piano Specialists, a longtime Pearl River dealer in Nashville, and Jeff Tasch of Grand Piano Haus in Chicago.
