DJ-Pro Lighting

Ernie Briefel played a tremendous role in the wholesaling of musical instruments in New York City, beginning in the 1950s. His understanding of the business and close partnerships have resulted in creative innovations, the establishment of brands, the growth of markets and accessibility to in-demand instruments. While interviewing Ernie, it is clear that the friendships he developed along the way have truly been a key factor not only in his success but also in the enjoyment he has found within the music products industry over his long career.  

Jimmy Cypher is a vanguard guitarist who is forging a career of guitar performance with live DJ's in their environment. Reversing the trend of incorporating DJ's into musical instrument ensemble performances, a la Incubus and Sugar Ray, Jimmy is turning this concept a full 180 and being the featured instrument in a DJ environment. This has led to numerous successful collaborations with world renknown DJ's and constant touring on the nightclub circuit. He continues to be met with wonder and success as he continues to evolve this new take on this cross-genre collaboration, bringing the instrument to the DJ. 

Imero Fiorentino is considered by many the father of pro-lighting! He began his career just as television was coming into its own in the early 1950s. He worked on live broadcast with new cameras that were not tested with many light sources, causing more than a few issues to correct. Many of the processes that Immie created to address those issues have come standard methods for professional lighting today. He also created standards for lighting music venues such as concert stages and within theaters. The only list as impressive as those he worked with over the years may be the list of those he has influenced. 

Gary Gand grew up playing music and developed a passion for musical instruments. In 1971, he parlayed this passion into a successful career in music retail. Gand Music and Sound, located in Northfield, IL, was among the first stores in the country to carry pro audio and lighting equipment and has been on the pioneering side of product introductions and marketing campaigns.

Werner Hotan has a background as a radio technician and worked in a music retail store in Switzerland before he began working for Mr. Sacher. Werner learned about drum making and many other instruments from Mr. Sacher, who was a legendary percussionist. As the rock and roll movement was increasing in Switzerland in the late 1960s, Werner helped increase the products in the shop, which was a wonderful success.

Susan Lipp has a background in the theater, which she has used to great success in running the pro-audio distribution company Full Compass. The company was formed by her husband, Jonathan, in 1977, and has since become an industry leader in pro-audio, pro-lighting and home engineering equipment. Over her career in the industry, Susan also served on the NAMM Board of Directors in the late 1990s assisting with programs and market development programs. 

Jonathan Lipp formed a recording studio, which by 1977 turned into a pro audio distribution company he called Full Compass. In the early days of the company he focused on the radio broadcasting market and played a role in the growth of home recording market as equipment prices went down and the number of home studios increased in the early 1980s. Over time Full Compass branched out into sound reinforcement, pro lighting and video products as his customer base grew. Today Jonathan runs the company with his wife and the firm’s Chairman of the Board, Susan.
 

Victor Pavona’s family worked in the steel mills of Ohio, beginning with his grandfather who immigrated to the United States from Italy. Victor was the first person in his family to attend college. After working for Westinghouse and creating his own consulting business, Victor had the opportunity to work for ETA Systems, the pro-lighting company that was formed in 1977. The company and its founder are icons in the business for their pioneering products and services, which Victor worked hard to maintain as well as provide new products over the years.

Rosemary Rodd is the president of Leo’s Pro Audio in Oakland, California, and a strong supporter of several key music industry advocacy programs designed to encourage music and music making. With a strong background in business, Rosemary arrived in the music industry with a slightly different approach to the industry. Her understanding of marketing and sales helped establish the store as an innovative leader in pro-audio, pro-lighting and broadcast equipment. 

Bob See is the founder of See Factor, one of the pioneering and innovative pro-lighting and pro-sound services in the world. Bob’s influential career began when Bill Graham opened up a music venue in New York City called the Fillmore East in the late 1960s. Bob cut his teeth in the lighting field as it was new to everyone. Many of the methods for lighting he created in those early days have become standards within the industry. Over the years Bob and his team have worked with a who’s who of musicians and performers around the world and expanded his services to include pro-sound in the early 1980s. Today Bob continues to invent and innovate within the world of pro-lighting and sound.