pianos

Jane Smisor Bastien together with her husband James Bastien, wrote the best-selling Bastien Piano Methods enjoyed by millions of students and teachers worldwide.  The series of books, all published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company, are now translated into more than 16 languages.

Terry Bingley was a leader in the Canadian Music Products Industry for several decades. He began his career when he formed a music retail store before working with Yamaha and, later, serving as the Managing Director of Kawai.  He helped to establish Kawai Canada. In 1984, Terry formed a music wholesaler company, Bingley Distributors, which became a key contributor to the growth of the North America music market.   

Ingbert Bluthner followed in the rich history of his family tradition of building world-class pianos. Under Ingbert’s leadership the company expanded production and models along with developing new global distribution chains. Over the years, since his own oral history interview, Ingbert has been a strong supporter of the program, supplying research and suggestions of future interviewees. 

Dave Brubeck has played Baldwin Pianos for most of his long career. As a classically trained performer, he added poly-rhythmic concepts to jazz. Among his most celebrated recordings is the world famous “Take Five.” While he never caught the teaching bug, he has been greatly influential on countless performers and musical professors who have been inspired by his blend of the classical techniques and the feel of jazz. Mr. Brubeck has come to symbolize the high art of music and has thus given jazz a great deal of its needed respect.

Bob Bull held many positions throughout the music products industry over his long career. However, he is perhaps best known as the president of the Steinway & Sons piano company during the early 1970s. At the time, Steinway was owned by CBS Musical Instruments. Bob, as the president of Steinway, reported to Bob Campbell, the president of CBS Musical, a division of the broadcasting company.  

Dave Campbell grew up in a household full of music! Both of his grandmothers were piano teachers and his father was a professional piano player. With such a strong background in music it was no surprise that Dave became a professional musician and made it his career until his early 30s. Dave also had a strong interest in engineering and put both passions together by getting involved with the piano industry. He worked for Kimball Pianos before being hired by Charlie Kaman,who formed Carrier Pianos in North Carolina.

Jeannie Cheatham played roots music before anyone was calling it that. She grew up on church music and progressed to the music in a time and place where black women were encouraged to express their emotions through music, especially the blues. Jeannie was there when rhythm and blues became popular and played her own style in clubs and dances all around America. When she met Jimmy Cheatham their personal and musical lives forever became a part of each other.

Steve Cohen is the president of Jason’s Music Center in Pasadena, MD. As a creative thinker, Steve has pioneered a new approach to college piano sales by bringing the concept into the public schools beginning in the early 1980s. A passionate salesman, Steve understands people and enjoys bringing music into their lives. In a completely different industry, Steve is also an innovative magician who has developed several of his own products and tricks, which he has sold all around the world.
 

Joy Collins has had a successful career selling piano and organs! In fact she may very well be the person who has sold the most Allen Organs, ever. Joy was hired by Glenn Davis, who owned a piano and organ store in Chicago, as a secretary but soon discovered selling was in her blood. She would take home her tasks as a secretary, such as letters and reports, and completed then over the weekend so she had time to sell instruments during the week days. She soon became a top salesperson for Mr. Davis. The company changed its name to The Beautiful Sound in 1978 when Mr.