pipe organs

The journeys to get Oral History interviews include valuable talks about long since-closed companies.
When NAMM Historian Dan Del Fiorentino ventured out to Brattleboro, Vermont, and the Estey Organ Company, he wasn't sure what to expect, considering the company closed in 1960. The company, which also produced pianos in its factory in Brooklyn, New York, dates back to 1846, and also was an exhibitor at the very first NAMM Show in 1902. Over the years, Dan had read how the factory workers from Estey were passing away and he worried the stories from the company may be lost.

Charlotte Atkinson is an organist extraordinaire! Showing an aptitude for music early on, Charlotte continued with formal education earning Bachelor and Masters degrees in music. At San Diego State University she first met her husband, William, in Howard Brubeck's theory class. In her junior year at SDSU she and William (Bill) were married and spent the next several decades touring as the Atkinson Duo with Charlotte on piano, organ and harpsichord and Bill on flute and choir directing. They were organist and music directors of several churches and were actively involved in many service and musical organizations. They were mostly involved locally with the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad and the First Presbyterian Church in Oceanside.

Dick Christian has spent his entire career in the piano and organ business and has made many friends along the way. His support for the industry led him to the role as president of the National Piano Travelers Association. Having worked retail before joining the teams of Thomas, Baldwin, Wurlitzer and Samick, Dick has a great understanding of the role a salesman can fill for both supplier and dealer and works to help both from his position.  

Ken Edgington has many friends in the music industry, several of whom suggested he be included in the NAMM Oral History program, but when approached Ken was rather humble about his role in the music business, “are you sure you have the right guy?” Ken worked for the Baldwin Piano Company in Ohio during the home organ boom and into the final days of the company. He has since been active as the manager of Viscount Church Organs in Montana. His interview provided a meaningful account of the changes in the piano and organ business as well as the development of newer markets.

David Estey is related to the Estey's who established the Vermont-based Estey Organ Company in 1846 as well as the Estey Piano factory in New York. Pianos must be in his blood as David became a piano technician before opening his own store in New Jersey. Along the way he decided to create a line of Estey pianos, made in China, and tuned and voiced by hand in America. The success led to his expansion on the Internet where "esteypiano.com" has gained customers unaffected by the location of the store.

Maurice Fox loves selling organs to area churches. In fact, even after a retirement from the presidency of Fox’s Music in Charleston, South Carolina, (his son now holds that position), he still travels the state selling Allen Organs. Maurice served on the NAMM board as well as was president of NAYMM and the AMC boards. It’s clear he loves the business. His NAMM Oral History interview was completed on September 8, 2005. 

Robert J. Jones traveled on a tour bus with his father and sang gospel music together for many years as the Song Fellows. They recorded for Homeland Records in Nashville and performed around the country. In 1957, Robert’s father opened Valley Music Company in Bakersfield, CA, where Robert worked until attending college in the mid 1960s. The company expanded to a second location in southern California, where Robert was introduced to the Thomas Organ Company. The store sold the instruments for several years.

John Ledwon is a theater organist with a love for the instruments he plays. Since the age of 11 John has been enamored with the sound and design of pipe organs and has become an expert on the workings of both concert and theater organs. Along the way John has also collected a number of instruments to better understand their unique innovations first hand. In recent years he has played the large Wurlitzer organ in the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood following its restoration paid for by the Disney Company.

Martha Markowitz married her knight-in-shining-armor right after World War II. She soon helped him run the small organ company he started before the war. The Allen Organ Company has been a pioneering business in church organs and in digital technology for many decades. Although Jerome has passed away in 1991, the legacy of his innovations remain. His son, Steve Markowitz, runs the business today, which is currently the top producer and seller of church organs in the United States.
 

Steve Markowitz’s father invented a unique electronic organ in the 1930s and established the Allen Organ Company in Allentown, PA. Steve’s father, Jerome, built his first experimental instrument back in the Depression Era--1936. As the popularity of the instrument grew, particularly with churches and places of worship, Jerome’s wife and later his son joined in working in the company. Steve played an important role in the expansion of sales of the organs outside of the United States beginning in the late 1980s. Jerome Markowitz passed away in 1991, after which Steve became president, honoring his father by continuing to provide innovative and quality musical instruments.