NAMM and Bass Magazine Announce 2026 NAMM Show Addition of Annual Bass Magazine Awards Show
One-of-Kind Global Celebration of Bass will Honor Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients Les Claypool of Primus, Mike Dirnt of Green Day and Marcus Miller, along with Future of Bass Award Recipients Laura Lee of Khrungbin and Blu DeTiger
CARLSBAD, CALIF., October 28, 2026 – NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global non-profit music trade organization, along with Bass Magazine, the world’s leading bass publication, announced today an events partnership heading into the 2026 NAMM Show. The 2026 Bass Magazine Awards Show will be part of the official NAMM Show lineup and will be held on Thursday, January 22 at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA - just a few minutes away from the NAMM Campus.
The event boasts an audience filled with world renowned bass players and musicians, industry experts, gear representatives, and fans from all over the globe. The 2026 Bass Magazine Awards Show will be honoring Les Claypool of Primus, Mike Dirnt of Green Day Marcus Miller, Laura Lee of Khrungbin, and Blu DeTiger. The annual awards show is the biggest night of bass for the low-end community and music lovers worldwide. The evening celebrates and honors legends of the instrument as well as the new wave of bass trailblazers.
The evening will feature a full lineup of guest presenters and a night of unforgettable performances.
“The NAMM Show will always deliver a variety of incredible events for our members, and the addition of the Bass Magazine Awards Show adds even more value to the 2026 NAMM Show as a must-attend event,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “We are thrilled to embark on this partnership with Bass Magazine which will bring another incredible night of live music to the NAMM community.”
“There is nothing like the NAMM Show on this planet and being able to say we are officially part of such an amazing event is unreal,” said Jon D’Auria, Editor-in-Chief of Bass Magazine. “The Bass Magazine Awards Show is the biggest celebration for the Bass community and having the NAMM Show Team as a partner enables us to deliver the most incredible night of live music and awards we have ever produced.”
Bass Magazine’s 2025 Award recipients included: Sting, Justin Chancellor of Tool, John Patitucci, MonoNeon, and Mohini Dey. Award presenters included Nathan East, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Steve Bailey, Verdine White, Tal Wilkenfeld, and Les Claypool. The evening featured performances by Tool, Patitucci, MonoNeon (ft. guest appearances by Les Claypool and guitar virtuoso Oz Noy), Dey, and Scott Mulvahill.
Bass Magazine will also be exhibiting on the main floor at the Anaheim Convention Center from January 22-24, 2026. For tickets please visit: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/09006357EF1C8512
2026 Official NAMM Events Schedule will be as follows (January 21-24):
- Wednesday: NAMM Global Media Day and NAMM Retail Awards
- Thursday: Industry Insights, TEC Awards, Bass Magazine Awards Show, Yamaha Night of Worship
- Friday: She Rocks Awards, Yamaha All-Star Concert on The Grand Plaza Stage
- Saturday: Grand Rally for Music Education, Parnelli Awards
##
Media Contacts
NAMM Communications - John Dolak, Director
johnd@namm.org
619.735.4028
VITTEK PR – Josh Vittek
josh@vittekpr.com
760.505.5674
The Lippin Group
namm@lippingroup.com
201.317.6618
About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit trade association representing the $18.1 billion global music products industry, with a mission to strengthen the music industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. Comprised of more than 9,000 member companies and individual professionals worldwide, NAMM supports an industry that employs more than 400,000 people globally. Through its programs, events and advocacy efforts, NAMM advances a shared vision of a thriving, innovative and inclusive music products industry where every person has access to the joy of music-making. NAMM also operates The NAMM Foundation, investing in the future of music through the support of education, global grantmaking and featured programs that expand participation in music across all ages and stages of life. Headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., NAMM serves as a leading voice for the global music products industry through public policy, advocacy, education and other member services. For more information, visit NAMM.org, and learn more about NAMM’s Vision, Mission & Objectives at NAMM About Page.