And last year's first edition proved a huge success: no fewer than 90,000 visitors stopped by during the four-day event. Forty exhibitors set up shop and enthusiasm-especially among industry professionals-was boundless. Viewed from the upper galleries of the complexe Desjardins, the exhibiting area below seemed like a giant electro-acoustic laboratory. Anyone and everyone who attended was heartily welcomed. 52% of visitors described themselves as amateur musicians. 18% described themselves as professionals. And a remarkable 70% described their visit as giving them the urge to get more into music-making. It's easy to see why: the MMMIS addressed a real need. The exhibitors' many on-site activities, workshops given by top musicians and appearances by artists such as John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Jim Marshall and Oliver Jones clearly underscored a common desire for interaction among musicians, whatever their levels of skill.  A novelty: the Place des Luthiers.  Installed in the main hall at Place des Arts, the foyer of the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe and in the Cinquième Salle (also in Place des Arts), over 60 guitar-makers and other instrument manufacturers from five countries will be present, many known throughout the world. Throughout the lower level of the complexe Desjardins, the second edition of the MMMIS will feature over fifty kiosks, all hosted by brand name instrument makers. The workshops will this year be presented in the Studio-Théâtre of Place des Arts, as well as in the Salon Jeanne-Mance of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Rencontre series, featuring internationally renowned artists will take place in the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe. The MMMIS will also be visible on the exterior site of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, offering activities to the public at large.  The MMMIS has this year created the Blues Camp, which will be offered free of charge to 50 teenagers aged 13 to 17. Throughout 7 days, young people will have the opportunity to deepen their musical understanding. The experience will culminate with a live show on an exterior stage at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. Among the biggest brand names and celebrities on hand will be: Apple Canada, Archambault, Art & Lutherie, Beyerdynamic, Bosendorfer, D'Addario, Digitech, Evolution Drums, Guitares Demers, Hagstrom, Ibanez, J. Michael, Korg, La Boutique du Musicien, Guitares Godin, Les guitares La Patrie, Les guitares Norman, Seagull guitars, Simon & Patrick guitars, Steve's Music Store, Marshall, Morley, Orange, Pearl, Pianos Prestige, Productions Kila, Roland Canada, Rotosound, Sennheiser , Solotech location, Steinway & Sons, Studio Jam Avenue, Tama, Warwick and XXL Guitars. Among luthiers who've confirmed their attendance are: Mario Beauregard, Ed Claxton, Bill Comins, Sergei De Jonge, Oskar Graf, Michael Greenfield, Peter Hopkins, Michael Lewis, Linda Manzer, Michihiro Matsuda, John Monteleone, Tom Ribbecke, Sheldon Schwartz and Jeff Traugott. The MMMIS extends warm thanks to its sponsors: General Motors Canada, Guitares Godin, Archambault, Marshall and Steve's Music Store. Thanks are equally due to Economic Development Canada and the Governmment of Quebec whose support has been essential in getting the project off the ground. Thanks, as well, to media partners Couleur Jazz 91.9, MusiquePlus, MusiMax, CIBL 101.5 FM, CKUT 90.3 FM, CHOM 97.7 FM, Voir and Hour. The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal cordially thanks the complexe Desjardins and Place des Arts for making their facilities available. Festival International de Jazz de Montréal - (514) 523 3378. USA CONTACT: Ann Braithwaite, Braithwaite & Katz (781) 259-9600, ann@bkmusicpr.com
Jana La Sorte, Janlyn PR (973) 762-5580, jana@janlynpr.com Montréal / Rest of the World: Marie Eve Boisvert, Media Relations Director - (514) 523 3378 ext. 5666; marie-eve.boisvert@equipespectra.ca Public Information: Bell Info Jazz Line - (514) 871 1881 or toll free 1 888 515 0515.