2026 Show Marked 125-Year Anniversary of NAMM and Demonstrated Why the Global Music Community Gathers Every Year at The NAMM Show.

January 28, 2026 – NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global not-for-profit music trade organization, celebrated 125 years of NAMM at The 2026 NAMM Show — a powerful week that concluded on Jan. 24 and set the music industry’s narrative for years ahead. Featuring five days of incredible education, live concerts and special events, alongside three days of extraordinary exhibits and brand activations, this year’s show featured 1,650-plus exhibitors representing over 5,400 brands and more than 200-plus educational sessions for NAMM member communities.

The 2026 NAMM Show highlighted innovative music technologies, product introductions and trends that will shape the future of the music industry during a five-day-long platform for networking, connections and meetings that are critical for uniting and growing music makers globally.

“The 2026 NAMM Show once again delivered an incredible week of unity and energy for our global NAMM members, showcasing products, partnerships and networking for the entire music industry,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “NAMM continues to be the global stage for our industry to announce groundbreaking products, establish transformative partnerships and gain valuable education that drives success for our industry for the rest of the year.”

NAMM SHOW 2026 BY THE NUMBERS

60,000+ show attendees, including 8,760+ international attendees from 122 countries, regions and territories
1,650+ exhibitors representing 5,400+ brands, which is 25% more than 2025
Nearly 15,000 artists demonstrating and endorsing products and brands
200+ education sessions with 550+ speakers
1,600+ media, influencers and content creators reaching over 200+ million followers, which is 50% more than 2025.

NAMM SHOW 2026 SET LIST HIGHLIGHTS

Product Launches

The NAMM Electronic Press Kit, an online book of product and show announcements, tripled in size from 2025, with nearly 400 brands and companies using the platform to launch new products at The NAMM Show.

NAMM Global Media Day

Now in its third year, NAMM’s Global Media Day featured iconic brands spanning music, sound and entertainment technology categories to announce more than 500 ground-breaking products and business news to an exclusive media/creator/podcast-only audience of 750-plus guests.

NAMM Events and Awards Shows

Providing the platform for some of the industry’s best awards shows and live events, The 2026 NAMM Show saw sold-out crowds all week long, starting with the TEC Awards, followed by The Bass Awards Show, She Rocks Awards and The Parnelli Awards. Each show catered to a thriving professional community that gathered to honor the best of the best in each category.

Looking Back on NAMM, 125 Years Later

NAMM has been consistently guided by the best minds in the music business, who share a common desire to grow the industry and music making. Ever since 1901, NAMM leaders have come together, even as competitors, to ensure their association is helping the entire industry expand. The 125-year timeline is fully digitized and available to everyone on NAMM.org

NAMM’s Music for Life Honor Awarded to Industry Icon Rick Beato

NAMM presented globally acclaimed producer, educator, musician and YouTube creator Rick Beato with its highest honor, the Music for Life Award, in recognition of his lifelong contributions to music and commitment to inspiring music makers. In an exclusive Thursday morning Q&A with NAMM President and CEO John Mlynczak, Beato discussed his early musical influences, the music products that have helped define his career and the future of the music business in the age of AI.

NAMM’s Grand Rally for Music Education 

NAMM rallied the industry around its mission Saturday morning, highlighted by magical moments with Grammy Award-winning artists Victor Wooten and Chad Smith. The session, hosted by John Mlynczak and Julia Rubio, brought the audience to its feet with inspirational performances, conversations and messages, as well as live performances from Roots of Rhythm.

The NAMM Foundation

In honor of our 125th “NAMMiversary,” and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, the NAMM Foundation — with a generous $125,000 matching donation from Chris Martin, past chair of NAMM — announced at the 2026 show a total of $250,000 in funds to give back.

The Return of NAMM NeXT Europe and New NAMM NeXT Latin America

Coming off the success of last year’s inaugural event, NAMM NeXT Europe will return and NAMM NeXT Latin America will debut in 2026. These NAMM NeXT events are one- to two-day leadership conferences that will gather our industry to focus on how we can grow the industry and address common challenges.

  SCORPIO, Reported and correspondent on the job at NAMM!

Radio host and International Salsa Magazine correspondent Bryan Astrachan, aka Scorpio, at the NAMM Show

The 2027 NAMM Show is already in the works for January 26-30, 2027, at the Anaheim Convention Center. Booths with early bird rates and discounts are available now at NS27 Exhibit | NAMM.org

“I have worked with Gary since 2018 and I have been able to actively learn from his expertise as an engineer, host, programmer and now as the interim program director”

“Gary has always welcomed me with open arms and kindness”

He always supports Canto Tropical and our paths continue to cross as we support live music in all genres! Scorpio

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Gary Baca, KPFK, Interim Program Director & Scorpio, Reporter, Correspondent, and Anchor

Gary Baca, aka G-Spot was born and raised in East Oakland. Baca began his radio career at KALX Berkeley before initiating his radio programming at KPFA Berkeley which then lead him to KPFK Los Angeles.

Gary is an American radio veteran and cultural tastemaker who currently.

In previous radio programs, Baca’s featured presentations have included interviews with Lisa Lisa, Rick James, Morris Day & The Time, George Clinton, Boy George, Tito Puente, Macy Gray, Roger Troutman & Zapp, Bootsy Collins, WAR, James Brown and Cameo, Rakim, The Commodores, Buddy Miles, The Doors, Earth, Wind & Fire, Johnny Mathis and Carlos Santana.

Now celebrating over 30 years of radio programming, he is also a concert emcee introducing such acts as Ice Cube, Cameo, Cypress Hill, DJ Quik, Too Short, E40, Tierra, Malo, The Dramatics, Rappin 4Tay, Sheila E. & Rhythm Tribe.

KPFK 90.7 FM’s Pocho Hour of Power provides a smartly satirical look at political issues facing Latinos in America. Co-hosted by cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz, filmmaker Esteban Zul, comedian’s Jeff Keller, Paul Vato, and producer Gary Baca the show brings its raucous brand of satire.

*Gary has a history of discovering artists, hosting community TV, and teaching radio skills.

KPFK, Interim Program Director: Manages Programing for KPFK.DJ & Host:

Global Village (Tuesday’s 11am-

1pm) The Pocho Hour of Power

(Friday’s 3-4pm) Welcome 2 the

Dawn (Saturday 4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) Co-Host and produce La Raza radio Thursdays 3-4pm

Gary Began his career in radio in the late 80’s at KALX in Berkely

KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles, 98.7 FM

Santa Barbara,

93.7 FM San Diego, 99.5 FM

Ridgecrest & China Lake *ONLINE @ KPFK.ORG

Studios located in Glendale, CA
Transmitter high atop Mt. Wilson
With 110,000 watts of power

Scorpio with Rafael Feliciano, “Soul Sauce”

Born out love and respect for the unique musical sounds created by latin jazz legend/vibist Cal Tjader, this collective of pro players recreate the exact musical arrangements Tjader wrote and recorded for today’s audience. From original hits such as “Soul Sauce(wachi-wara)” to versions of jazz standards like “Speak Low”, this band will entrance an audience with its exotic, soothing sound which fuses afro-cuban and brazilian rhythms with modern jazz classics.
The band features Peter Burke on vibes/percussion, Ramon Banda on timbales, Rafael Feliciano on congas, Joe Rotondi on piano, and Ross Schodek on bass. There is usually a surprise guest appearance added to each show as well, making each performance a special occasion.

“I have had the pleasure of attending several “Soul Sauce” presentations at a variety of venues including Roscoe’s in Long Beach and I have always been impressed with their professionalism, talent , respect & love for the music they play live”

Scorpio, Reporter, Correspondent and Anchor

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Gabriel Gonzalez, also known by his stage name Gabrielito, is a multi-talented artist whose career spans decades of film, music, videos, commercials, theatre and live-performance concerts. Internationally recognized for movie roles from his childhood work in Mexican cinema to cult classic films as well as countless mainstream commercials, tours and stage productions, Gonzalez captivates audiences with his dynamic stage presence and larger-than-life vocals that make each performance a memorable experience.

He began his career in show business at the age of seven appearing in numerous top grossing films in Latin America featuring the Latin Orchestra La Sonora Santanera and famed comic Resortes. At eight years old, he recorded his first album. Gonzlaez has toured and shared billing with some of today’s most iconic artists across Mexico, Cuba, and the U.S. including Camilo Sesto, Lalo Guerrero, Juan Gabriel, Los Van Van, QUETZAL, Cubanismo, Lila Downs, Los Lobos and many more.

Most notably, he toured with the Tony award-winning musical, In the Heights by acclaimed composer Lin-Manuel Miranda as a principal character of the 2011-2012 North American National Tour. Gonzalez’s latest projects include working in the Salsa community with bands such as Boogaloo Assassins and the Los Angeles-based La Verdad.

La Verdad is the premier West Coast Latin music ensemble. A collective of world-class musicians embodying the truth of the Los Angeles Latin experience, the group is led by Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Gabriel Gonzalez. La Verdad’s traditional and original repertoire spans the scope of Latin American route music including Salsa, Cha-Cha, Boogaloo, Latin Soul and much more.