Pianos-Organs

Mr. Peter Suzuki, whose career spans important and extensive roles with Steinway and Yamaha, has donated his published writings on the piano industry. After extensive research and drawing from formidable personal experience, Mr. Suzuki published 12 monthly feature articles in Japan Music Trades Magazine describing and evaluating all aspects of the piano industry in the modern era. His writings have now been incorporated in the NAMM industry archives as the "Peter Suzuki Papers," adding poignant insight on this rich and storied segment of our industry.

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.

 Scott Anderson was among the renowned sales representatives at Wurlitzer during the iconic company’s heyday.  When Wurlitzer “meant music to millions” (to use their famous slogan) Scott had established long-lasting relationships with many of the top selling dealers for the company.  1954 was the first of 34 years with the company and since that time Scott remains one of the most respected and known reps in the industry.  In 2003, Scott teamed with several other former Wurlitzer employees

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.

Dennis Awe is passionate about the organ! As a recording artist he has performed on many products, endorsing the Lowrey Organ for many decades. As a keen salesman, Dennis has written books on the process of marketing and selling to encourage others. As a music maker, Dennis has brought the sounds of his talents to millions, with a smile and a friendly handshake. His love of the industry is only equaled by his desire to see growth in the sales of musical products, a goal he is always willing to share with others. 

Bruce Bannister is the current president of Samuel Music in Effingham, Illinois. The store was formed in the 1940s by Lowell Samuel, the band director turned music industry pioneer. Bruce was interviewed in the store and recalled working closely with Lowell as well as Dean Samuel, Lowell’s son and the company’s CEO. Bruce began working with the store in the early 1970s at the height of the home organ boom and provided his thoughts as to the great growth of the product as well as its steep and sudden decline a decade later. Bruce attributes the success of Samuel Music to their dedicated staff and strong focus on customer service.

Kyle Barker began working in the piano retail industry in 1969 when the Sherman & Clay Piano Company in Northern California hired him. Five years later he established Barker Music in Modesto, where he would later expand the line to include guitars and percussion. Kyle also opened a second store in Stockton, CA. Like many music retailers, Kyle remains a very active musician, playing keyboards and singing both in a group and solo work in the community. His passion for music remains evident to anyone who walks in the store. 

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. Inspired by Robert Pace's "Multi-Key" pedagogical approach and her own ideas culled from years of teaching, Jane and James created the much loved and accessible "Gradual Multi-Key Approach." Evolving through several generations of methodology, their writing culminated with the release of the Bastien Piano Basics, the world's first ever 4-color piano method, which has been a best-seller since it's release in 1985.