Hi Mike: If you (like me), are into playing Swing Jazz & Latin tunes on your arranger KB (and playing with a LIVE upright acoutic bass player), then I personally HIGHLY recommend the Technics KN6500 or older KN5000 (which I own).

I really believe that the Technics arrangers have both the best variety & quality of straight ahead/modern jazz swing & latin styles of all the arrangers available today, and that its' sound patches (especially the acoustic Steinway grand piano) are perfect for improvising (Realbook) jazz & Latin tunes.

The BIG advantage of Technics KN keyboards is that they recongize in full keyboard pianist mode (jazz chord recognition) a version of the well known jazz (Bill Evans style) A/B rootless chord voicings commonly used in jazz piano comping. This feature alone makes this keyboard idea for soloing (in the right hand) while you play the cool jazz style (rootless) comping voicings in your left hand, allowing your Bass Player to lay down the ROOT bass lines. I think because of this, the Technics arranger gives you the opportunity to play and SOUND in an authentic jazz combo style, like you would if you were an acoustic piano player performing with a LIVE jazz musicians. None of the other arranger keyboards support this type of chord recognition feature as well.

I occasionally use my Technics KN5000 arranger for intimate jazz duo lounge gigs, playing (comping & soloing) on the KN5000 (with drums & guitar, etc auto-accompaniment) and singing, along with a LIVE acoustic bass player (or horn/guitar player). For added spontaneity I trigger drum & accomp fills at the end of 4 or 8 bar phrases. Really makes the performance come alive! This setup is highly effective, sounds totally professional and musical, and makes finacial sense because you can take home more $ because you don't have to hire as many other musicians.

I hope you get the opportunity to checkout the Technics KN6500 or KN5000 up in your area of Alaska.
- Scott
http://scottyee.com

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 11-03-2001).]
_________________________