Last night (Thursday April 26) I attended the Los Angeles Motif XS event hosted by West L.A. Music and Yamaha.

It was truly an inspiring night. Sequences on the Motif XS8 were playing back through the large sound system (this was outdoors in a community amphitheatre right near West L.A. Music) and it really did sound like a band playing onstage.

Stevie Wonder made a surprise appearance (he didn't go onstage or play, but he was there for the start of the "show"). The amazing musician Ellis Hall brought down the house with solo performance on the XS8. I haven't seen such a captivating, engaging and inspiring performer in a long time. Ellis truly defines the term "one-man show". The kin d of guy who makes you want to go home and start playing furiously AND calling up people to start a band.

Uber-producer Alan Parsons (engineer for Dark Side of the Moon, the Beatles, and producer of the Alan Parsons Project, Paul McCartney and others)was interviewed by Athan Billias and explained not only noted (and humorous) aspects of his long career, but also how the Motif series synths have figured prominently in his recent work.

Just a note to all XS users (or those interested in the XS) - if one of these events is scheduled for your area, go. It is worth the trip - and you never know who might show up.