The Saxations at the Mediterranean Jazz and Supper Club!

Pete shares a moment with Gerald Albright.

Pete and Mindi Abair together at Chicago Winery… Post Show Meet & Greet

The Paul Navidad Quartet wows the crowd at the Sax Dakota Booth NAMM 2019

Mindi Abair with Tim Price at the Sax Dakota Booth NAMM 2019

Pete and Tim Price at NAMM 2019

Pete with Saxations at NAMM 2019 enjoying their 6th year together performing exclusively on Dakota Saxophones!

Good things happen to talented/passionate people every now and then, and this time it happened to DONELLA STAMPLEY…Dakota Sax Chicago based Artist and Grammy Nominated Jazz Artist.

The big surprise was when she saw the cover of this month’s issue of Proviso and there she was…with her Dakota Straight Alto posing like a movie star for all to see.

Congratulations Donella from all of us here in Barrington at the Dakota Saxophone Company.

TIM PRICE continues to “push the envelope” with a SAX DAKOTA straight tenor saxophone… at Philadelphia Jazz concerts for a “Street Corner Symphony” hosted by Philadelphia Jazz Project. This “al fresco” event took place recently at Christ Church in Philadelphia’s historic district.

Pete with EVERETTE HARP Saturday night Chicago Smooth Jazz event at Loews… “FUNK” band with loads of talent and great tunes all night long. Everette blew me away on both Alto and Tenor… for over 90 minutes of majestic/spectacular improvisations. Jeff Lorber made it even more special. Loved every minute.

An outstanding success for Phaeton and Dakota… great performances by Joe Lovano, The Saxations, David Perrico, plus many of our super talented endorsing artists made for an exceptional event.

SAX DAKOTA and PHAETON TRUMPETS experienced its best NAMM SHOW ever in January at ANAHEIM, California for four (4) consecutive days of crowds stopping by to check out our horns, place an order, watch & listen to Pro Artist performances… and they couldn’t get enough of gorgeous/over-the-top finishes of all models on display.

Our Straight Alto and Tenor models continue to generate a waiting line of players who want to play, check out and simply enjoy the thrill of their first time hands on experience with these exceptional instruments.

The “STARS” of the DAKOTA display were the new RAW BRONZE XR TYPE models that simply took everyone by surprise with their appearance, tonality and brilliant performance action. We had the entire family on exhibit: SOPRANO, ALTO, TENOR and BARI… all of which were in the hands of players 90% of the time.

PHAETON TRUMPETS & FLUGELHORNS enjoyed their own private space at the booth displaying models that have captured the imagination of Pro horn players throughout the world. Our FX-1100 model with 3 sets of interchangeable vertical braces took home the “brass ring” for the most sought after trumpet in the USA.

All in all, NAMM marked another important step towards top awards for both PHAETON and DAKOTA Both brands are now ranked in the top five (5) professional quality Trumpets, Flugels and Saxophones among all others in the market. With more than 20 performing endorsing artists visiting and playing at our booth… it was a spectacular and successful event for all of us.

We captured the attention of hundreds of visitors, retailers, guests, musicians from throughout the world at our PHAETON/SAX DAKOTA booth as they viewed on outstanding array of Saxophones, Trumpets and Flugelhorns in more than to spectacular jewel-like brilliant metal finishes.

Our loyal endorsing Jazz artists from CHICAGO, BUFFALO, NASHVILLE, ATLANTA, NEW YORK, NEW ORLEANS and ALABAMA were on hand throughout the show to demonstrate and entertain visitors with dazzling performances as soloists and combo groups.

Our newest model/series of Dakota Saxophones in RAW BRONZE were the real winners at this show. This new innovative “XR SERIES” includes Alto/Tenor Saxophones and Straight Soprano. We were sold out of Saxophones before noon time on day 1 of the show.

Look for PHAETON and DAKOTA instruments at your local music stores… and ask to check one out at your earliest convenience… you will not be disappointed.

Click here for the video.

Pete LaPlaca and James Carter pose with Dakota’s famed Straight Tenor Saxophone at the Sax Dakota booth at NAMM/ANAHEIM

NAMM – Anaheim 2016 was a huge success for PHAETON TRUMPETS and DAKOTA SAXOPHONES on display at booth 3414 in Hall “D” -same great location for the past 5 years.

The “STARS” came out every day… outstanding/prominent artists made our exhibit the most exciting display for Saxophones and Trumpets at NAMM. They came from all over the Globe… all over the USA… and performed on our outstanding pro horns every day from dawn till dusk. This was the booth to be seen at… they all loved it.

Too many famous players to name. . .too many product compliments to list… too many demos and live performances to display on this page. We welcomed artists from all over the show floor to join with our family of Dakota and Phaeton Endorsing artists for live sets every day.

Starting with a new exciting quartet of all female Saxophonists, to Jam Sessions that included the best of the best, the crowds came by to watch and listen to some of the finest live sets at NAMM. Straight Saxophones, Curved Saxophones, new Raw Brass models and more were passed from player to player for a sound check. New Phaeton Trumpet models were received enthusiastically when they found out we now have 3 new intermediate models at lower prices.

Dealers came by to confirm new pricing and availability while they enjoyed listening to some “over the top” performances throughout all 4 days of show scheduling. All in all, this was a great presentation of all our models and brands.

Left to right: Jonathan Fritzén (keys), Deon Yates, George Bell, Freddie V (Average White Band), and John Cousins

BMRW – An Evening of Smooth Jazz – 496 West Detroit, MI. featuring Deon Yates performing on his “baby” Dakota curve soprano saxophone model: SDSC-909

Nashville’s new convention center was the venue for this year’s July NAMM SHOW event… featuring both SAX DAKOTA and PHAETON professional instruments for three jam packed days of performance, review and dealer sales.

Pattie Cossentino, Zdany Chisholm & Antoine Knight were featured performers throughout the show demonstrating Altos, Tenors, Sopranos and Straight Alto Saxophones. MEZZO FLUTES were also a part of this exciting exhibit with demonstrations by Sarah Jane Hargis and Jason Blank. MEZZO Artist Flutes have recently entered the market as a custom series for discerning flutists.

Phaeton & Dakota are exclusive brands of PJLA MUSIC SALES/MARKETING with domestic and international sales under the direction of Peter J. LaPlaca, President/CEO.

Local Nashville Trumpet and Saxophone artists took the time to stop by and test play more than 20 model Phaeton & Dakota models on display while sharing their positive reactions to how great each horn performed in their hands.

Crain’s 20 in their 20s program honors success at a young age, from up-and-comer entrepreneurs to young professionals who make an impact in large organizations. LaDarrel Johnson, 27, is one of the honorees selected by Crain’s editors and reporters.

Click here to read LaDarrel Johnson’s full story.

Tim Price, prominent American saxophone artist & educator, has been appointed to the position of Dakota Saxophone performing “spokesperson” for Straight Altos and Tenors Saxophones. Tim and Dakota President, Peter LaPlaca, recently reached an agreement which positions Tim Price as an ongoing artist/clinician focusing on Dakota’s emerging Jazz Saxophone image in the marketplace with their outstanding/unique pair of Straight Alto and Tenor Saxophone models.

Tim brings a broader dimension to these two special instruments as a credible Saxophone Artist, Critic, Writer, Author, Teacher and Speaker, who, we are confident will elevate both saxophone models into the mainstream use by professional and semi professional Saxophone performers.

Tim joined Sax Dakota with a specific goal to carry our product message to those players out there who have not had the opportunity to play/see/experience these models. His immediate goal is to “spread the word and sound” of both models to Sax Players throughout the world at school and store clinics as well as major instrumental music conferences and conventions.

Look for more information/press releases about Tim and Dakota Saxophones in your favorite Music magazines, web sites and social networks.

…at the Masonic Temple in Detroit for a grand Jazz Concert on Valentine’s Day featuring RICHARD ELLIOT, DEON YATES, PHIL DENNY and RICK BRAUN.

Almost 500 Jazz enthusiasts attended this powerhouse of sax artists who performed together at a 2 1/2 hour Festival playing outstanding contemporary and memorable Jazz selections while featuring some of the very best artists Detroit hosted in many years.

Deon Yates and Family Circle Productions organized this “over the top” collection of artists to perform at Detroit’s oldest and finest venue for this one night “special” of outstanding performers who left the audience cheering for more when they closed out their final set with everyone joining in for a “jam” that stunned everyone with its power, artistry, energy and expertise.

Richard Elliot and Deon Yates performed expertly throughout the event on their Dakota Sax Tenor, Alto and Soprano Dakota Saxophones to the delight of everyone in the audience.

Four jam packed days for Dakota Saxophones and Phaeton Trumpets/Flugelhorns on display during the NAMM/Anaheim annual convention.

Artists, dealers, visitors, distributors & sales personnel were on hand every day at booth 3414 looking over and test playing more than 30 saxophones – trumpets – flugelhorns available for viewing and evaluation.

Great performances by outstanding artists were ongoing as part of this exciting event along with dealers looking to place orders for their 2013 planned sales.

The “hits” at this display were Dakota’s outstanding straight alto and tenor along with a number of new model entries. Phaeton trumpets enjoyed constant attention from players who could not resist play testing all models on exhibit.

The Chicago Theater… a Chicago landmark for decades. . . was the venue for a great show featuring Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons on Saturday, June 2nd. The astonishing Sax Artist, Rick Keller led the wind section throughout the show with his Alto, Flute, Sop Sax and keyboards and was featured as the main back-up performer to Frankie Valli.

We followed Rick from his dressing room to the Green Room and then to the sound check and finally to the live show that kicked off around 8:15 PM. This was a special treat to work this closely with Rick as he readied himself for another night performing on stage for over 2,000 passionate fans who came to sing along with Frankie and his 4 Seasons back-up vocalists.

If you’ve seen Jersey Boys… you must get in line and buy a ticket for a Frankie Valli show… this is the “real thing”. These are the “real” Four Seasons, live on stage with Frankie still doing what he did 30-40 years ago… and that’s bringing back (in person) all those great exciting tunes that made him famous in the past.

Rick Keller performed flawlessly throughout this non-stop 1 hour 45 minute show and took his bows throughout the event. It’s both special and inspirational to see this 16 member musical group generate so much excitement for the crowd. The applause was still echoing long after the second encore by Frankie Valli. Rick Keller (as usual) played his Sax Dakota Alto Sax throughout the show.

Pete LaPlaca, Frankie Valli and Rick Keller pose for this group shot soon after sound check and exchanged lots of memories with smiles all around. Pete and Frankie grew up in Newark, N.J. and hung around the same Music Shop in Belleville, N.J. in the ‘50’s

Four great artists at the PJLA NAMM booth who enthusiastically played/demonstrated Dakota Saxes and Phaeton Trumpets during this dynamic show: Deon Yates, Richard Elliot, Wayne Cobham & Skinny Williams.

ERNIE WATTS… famous US Jazz Sax artist… had glowing comments about his Sax Dakota Straight Tenor experience, which he shared with Pete at NAMM/ANAHEIM

Pete and Tom Politzer of ‘Tower of Power’ together at NAMM

These star players love Phaeton & Sax Dakota

Pete and Joe Lovano

Pete and Contra Basso Sax in Milan