Casio Continues to Support The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation with New Donation

DOVER, N.J., Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Casio America, Inc., a leading consumer electronics manufacturer, is proud to announce that it has made a second donation of electronic musical instruments to The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. The newly donated instruments, which include the CDP-120 and CDP-220 keyboards, will be used during performances, festivals, and for teaching young musicians how to play the piano in the new George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center.

"We are very grateful to Casio for its generous donation of keyboards to our Heritage School of Music," said Don Marshall, Executive Director of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. "The new instruments will help us achieve our goal of encouraging a love for music and the arts among children in our community." 

Casio's donation of two CDP-120s and three CDP-220s will be used at the Don "Moose" Jamison Heritage School of Music, a free program that has operated on local university campuses since 1990 that now operates at the new Jazz & Heritage Center. The building features seven classrooms including dedicated labs with pianos and drums, as well as a recording studio and a 200-seat performance hall.

"The Jazz and Heritage Foundation has made great strides to fulfill its mission of fostering an appreciation of music within the community," said Stephen Schmidt, Vice President of Casio's Electronic Musical Instrument Division. "With additional Casio keyboards to support its music program, students will be able to continue cultivating their love for music in the New Orleans area, a true hub of jazz music."

The Casio CDP-120 and CDP-220 pianos are simplified stage pianos with an 88-note weighted action keyboard and built-in speakers. They feature a spring-less hammer system that is similar to the one used by grand pianos and provides a keyboard touch that is naturally firm so lower notes play relatively heavier than higher notes. The CDP-120 (MSRP: $599.99) and CDP-220 (MSRP: $699.99) are currently available at select music dealers nationwide.

To learn more about Casio's music education initiatives and full portfolio of electronic musical instruments, please visit www.CasioMusicGear.com. 

About Casio America, Inc.
Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com.

About The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation 

In 1970, the Foundation was set up to be the nonprofit owner of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – Jazz Fest – with a mission to sow the seeds of our unique culture for generations to come. In the early days, the festival wasn't the world-famous event that it is today – one that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to New Orleans and pumps $300 million a year into the local economy. No, it is often said that at the first Jazz Fest there were more performers onstage than people in the audience. But the founders believed that Jazz Fest would one day grow into a major success. Everyone involved wanted to make sure that the festival's proceeds would be redistributed into the local community. So the Foundation, a 501© (3) nonprofit organization, was established with a distinguished board of directors and a full-time staff. Its mission: "To promote, preserve, perpetuate and encourage the music, arts, culture and heritage of communities in Louisiana through festivals, programs and other cultural, educational, civic and economic activities." To that end, the Foundation has developed numerous programs and assets. Click here to learn more about them, and here to contribute to the Foundation's efforts.

SOURCE Casio America, Inc.

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