Our contacts at Yamaha send word that they plan to launch the Tenori-On, a brand new performance instrument at London’s premier independent record shop Phonica Records, at an event September 4th. The event will feature Tenori-On performances from some of the finest talent in electronic music and an introduction and discussion with the Tenori-On’s inventor.

The Tenori-On is a 16 x 16 LED button matrix performance instrument. For DJs & producers it is a unique performance tool enabling them create spectacular live & DJ audio-visual performances.

The Tenori-On was conceived by leading Japanese media artist Toshio Iwai, above, in 2001 and has benefited from five years of intensive development, including being “road tested” by electronic music artists, including: Kraftwerk, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Matthew Herbert, Mouse On Mars, Cornelius, To Rococo Rot, Jim O’ Rourke, Rei Harakami, Taylor Deupree, Tortoise and Atom Heart.

The launch event will see inventor Toshio Iwai talk and answer questions on the Tenori-On plus live performances. Flying in from Berlin To Rococo Rot’s Robert Lippok will perform an exclusive UK set alongside cutting edge disco edit maestro Secondo (Dreck Records) and the man dubbed ‘the savior of acid house’ Capracara (Soul Jazz Records).

Full Event Details:
Venue: Vinyl Factory below Phonica Records, 51 Poland Street, London, W1F, 7RJ (please use main shop entrance).
Time: 18.00 – 23.00
Free Entry – Please arrive early to avoid disappointment!

If you’re planning on attending, let us know in the comments!

Here are some videos that give you a taste of how the Tenori-On works:

Tenori-on by Toshio Iwai

TENORI-ON - Toshio Iwai - ArtFutura05

Toshio Iwai plays TENORI-ON at AEC 2006

Peter Kirn, at Create Digital Music, wonders if open-source alternatives, and other commercial products may have already stolen the Tenori-On’s thunder. Sonic State has additional video of the Tenori-On in action.