Cymbals

Bulent Akbay was born in Istanbul and was interested in playing the drums at an early age.  He played throughout school and like other drummers in the area he was always looking for a place to play.  This need led Bulent to form his own drum studio and school, which later included a retail element of the business.  His connections within the percussion world afforded him the chance to meet and get to know the cymbal master Mehmet Tamdeger, who later hired Bulent as a product tester.

Leon Chiappini is the Head Zildjian Cymbal Tester who gained his skills and phenomenal musical ear from two of the true icons in the industry, the father and son team of Avedis and Armand Zildjian. Leon developed improved ways of testing the sound of each product and worked with the “A” team musicians over his long career, including Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, and Papa Jo Jones to create a cymbal as close to perfection as possible. Along the way Leon also had life-long friendship within the Zildjian Company, among drummers and throughout the music industry.

Mike Clark helped established the funk-based drumming sound that emerged out of Oakland and the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1960s and 70s. In fact, his “The Funk Stops Here” was used for a radio ad before he recorded it with Herbie Hancock, as an original member of the Head Hunters. Mike’s creative and driving style has become an important part of funk drumming and his most famous beats can be heard on R&B and Hip Hop recordings by countless performers as samples.

John DeChristopher was playing in a band when he would visit the EU Wurlitzer Music Store in Boston.  Those early store visits for gear led to a job and John’s introduction to the music products industry.  John joined the Zildjian Company in 1989 and created a wonderful reputation as the VP of Artist Relations.  John has been involved in many areas of the industry and supported programs within PAS and NAMM over the years including this Oral History program, for which John was finally interviewed in January 2013.

Jack DeJohnette was truly a drummer’s drummer — admired by his peers and celebrated by jazz fans around the world. His innovative approach, blending subtlety with power and creativity with groove, made him one of the most respected and influential drummers of his generation. Beginning in the 1960s, Jack became a driving force on countless jazz and popular recordings, performing and recording with legends such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Sonny Rollins, and Pat Metheny.

Sam Denov retired as the percussionist and timpanist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra after playing with the group in concerts, on the road and in recordings beginning in 1954.  Sam helped bring cymbal playing to a new level of recognition and professionalism when he wrote “The Art of Playing Cymbals” in the early 1960s. He worked with the Zildjian Company and later with Paiste Cymbals in creating concert level products and in conducting clinics that brought greater access to hand cymbal playing to students and professionals alike. He retired from the symphony in 1985.  

Lennie DiMuzio was told for years that he ought to write a book about his career and his many stories, so he did! Lennie was the artist relations director for Zildjian Cymbal Company for many years. He oversaw the line-up of endorsees and their many activities, as well as the company’s printed material related to musicians and their official endorsees. Lennie worked closely with Armand Zildjian before his passing in 2002. Lennie then went to work for Armand’s brother, Robert, who years before had started the SABIAN Cymbal Company. 

Jerry Donegan began his career in the music industry in October, 1966, when his brother arranged for him to get a job in the shipping department of the Zildjian Cymbal Company. He found that early experience in the shipping department was a wonderful training ground in learning about the company’s customers. Jerry later played a vital role in the NAMM Show booth designs. He also helped the company develop its independent sales network, which has been a great asset to the business.

Sorriso dos Santos grew up in Brazil and began playing the drums when he was 16 years old.  He has been playing ever since!  His nickname in Portuguese is Sorriso, which means smile-- a great way of describing him and his infectious laugh.  While playing and teaching music, Sorriso was asked by the Orion Cymbal Company to endorse their products.  Over the years he has not only helped promote the cymbal company, but has worked with the company on development and designs.

Dom Famularo was a regular attendee at NAMM Shows and was often found demonstrating products he endorsed or talking about his latest method book or educational DVD. Dom’s passion for music making made him one of the music industry’s most sought-after speaker, clinician and teacher. He covered the globe presenting his master classes and clinics in such places as music retail stores and concert halls. He authored several books including It's Your Move and The Cycle of Self-Empowerment. Over his career Dom played for the likes of B. B. King and Lionel Hampton, as well as fellow drumm

Paul Francis, Quality Manager, fondly recalled the early days of his career at Zildjian and spoke with pride of the history of the company as he has come to learn it. His understanding of cymbal making is only equaled by his passion for the Zildjian story. Paul was able to work for Armand Zildjian before his passing and recalled the elements of the business most revered by the master cymbal builder.

Jeff Hamilton is right at home at the drum kit of a big band. While he has had great success and enjoys trios, Jeff considers himself a big band drummer. One key approach to his drumming is to keep the tempo while bringing out the talents of the other musicians in the band. Throughout his career, he has endorsed several drum companies and products. He even started his own cymbal company, Crescent, which is now a product line for the Sabian Company.

John King is among the most noted cymbal testers in the business. Working alongside Armand Zildjian in the factory in Massachusetts. John learned the fine skills of a tester and worked with Tony Williams, Buddy Rich, and other top players. John, a Product Communications Manager, has also become a historian at Zildjian. In his interview, he provided great detail regarding some of the traditions of the company.

Jacques Masson was just 15 years old when he began giving drum lessons at a local music store. He has been involved with teaching music ever since. As a player, Jacques was approached by Premier Drums to serve as an endorser in 1986, which served as his introduction into the music products industry. He has since worked with several companies on cymbal design and development as well as a clinician in music stores and trade shows in both Canada and the United States.

David McAllister grew up in Eastern Canada as a child of the 60s and 70s and a big fan of the music of the era. He studied sales and marketing, getting a job in one of the country’s largest food companies before meeting Bob Zildjian in 1984. Bob had just formed SABIAN and was looking for a sales and marketing director. David was thrilled to put his two interests, marketing and music, together. He was proud to take part in the growth of the company from a start-up to a worldwide contender in the making of cymbals. He left the company in 2000 to work at Latin Percussion, which

Kim Pang attended the NAMM Show in 1994 as a guest of the Zildjian company. While he there he accepted a job offer with the famous cymbal makers right on the spot. He was put in charge of expanding the brand in the Asian market and was always happy to be the first Zildjian employee from the region. Kim moved to China for ten years to support the dealers by bringing in guest drummers for clinics in music stores and at special events. When he moved to Singapore, Kim continued to provide clinics in China and throughout India and Vietnam.

Chuck Perl and his childhood friend, Steven Bender, formed Ambico Incorporated in 1967 to supply music stores with a line of products and accessories. Their first big success came with guitar straps, in fact it was Ambico that supplied several guitar makers and wholesalers in the United State with colorful and creative straps on the heels of the British Invasion. Their products later included Camber Cymbals and a rack sales system that was sold to many record stores in the 1970s and 80s. Today Chuck is a noted entrepreneur who provides classes and encouragement to young businessma

John Roderick studied percussion at the Hart School of Music, which proved to be a great benefit for his long and successful career in the music products industry. John has worked for several top companies so far in his career including learning first hand from Charlie Kaman at Kaman Music, Jim Hennessey at The Music People, the D’Addario family at D’Addario & Co. and the Zildjian family at Zildjian.

Colin Schofield recalls the day when he was eleven years old and received the Alice Cooper album “School’s Out.” The record changed his life by providing him with a passion for music, especially the drums. While earning his degree at the University of Leicester, Colin picked up a part time job at Premier Drum Company, which was in the same town as his school. He fell in love with the music products industry. At the time, Premier Drums were a distributor of Zildjian Cymbals in the United Kingdom and, in 1983, Colin began officially working for the famous cymbal maker. Colin’s role

Viola Smith Viola played drums in a number of big bands and small combos during her career in music. She joined Phil Spitalny's all-female orchestra as the drummer and later appeared in such films as 1945's "Here Come the Co-Eds" featuring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. In the 1960s she joined the Kit Kat Band, an orchestra band, for the Broadway musical "Cabaret" and for TV shows such as CBS's "I've Got a Secret." Beginning in the 1940s she appeared in print ads as an endorser of Ludwig Drums (at the time called WFL Drums) and Zildjian. She was interviewed one month before her 100t

Mehmet Tamdeger’s mentor was Mikkail Zilcan, who taught him everything the master craftsmen knew about cymbal making. Mehmet was born in the same small village outside Istanbul, Turkey where cymbal making is thought to have been developed in 1623. Zilcan taught Mehmet’s best childhood friend, Agop Tomarcuk, the same trade. After Mr. Zilcan’s passing, Mehmet and Agop established their own company, Istanbul Cymbals. Both men took personal care over the company, hand making and signing each and every product.

Yves Tieche opened a small shop building guitars in 1976, later expanding into a store and becoming a Martin dealer. While attending the 1991 Frankfurt Music Fair, Yves met Armand Zildjian who offered him a job. Yves became the rep for Europe and traveled to big and small dealers in large cities and small villages. Over the years Yves has always expressed what a wonderful gift it is to work for Zildjian and when given the chance he will always tell you how much he learned from his mentor, Armand Zildjian.

Robert and Willi Zildjian were interviewed together at the NAMM show in Anaheim on January 18, 2006, the year which marked the 25th anniversary of their cymbal company. SABIAN, whose name comes from the first two letters of the names of their three children, has since become synonymous with innovative products around the world. In sitting with Bob and Willi it was clear that their love of music and each other was a key ingredient of that success.  

Willi Zildjian has made many lasting contributions to the SABIAN Cymbal Company, which she formed along with her husband Bob back in 1981. However, her most noted is the naming of the company. While driving to New York from their factory in Canada, she discussed names with her husband. Most of the ideas fell flat on Willi who then offered, “Let’s use the first two letters of the kid’s names.” The idea stuck and the company grew to become an important contributor to innovative and popular instruments.  

Craigie Zildjian has accomplished what no other woman has done in her company’s over 380-year history; she has become president of the Zildjian Cymbal Company. She has also been a pioneer in industry-related organizations where few other women have been. Following in her father’s footsteps (Armand Zildjian 1921-2002) she has met the challenges of expanding the company into a growing world market as well as the innovative product lines that have become a tradition for the company.  

Deborah Zildjian proudly recalled stories of her father and her grandfather, two of the most successful leaders of her family’s 380 plus years as cymbal makers. Deborah has a compelling way of recounting her family’s history such as her memories of her grandmother and grandfather. Deborah serves as Vice President of the Zildjian Cymbal Company under her sister, Craigie, making the two daughters of the late Armand Zildjian a pioneering sister act.  

Armand Zildjian had many friends in the music industry and even years after his passing, the stories of Armand and his role in the industry seem to be everywhere.  As president of the Avedis Zildjian Company, Armand oversaw the cymbal manufacturing that was part of his family since it was first established in 1623.  Armand worked in the Norwell, Massachusetts plants during the innovative jazz era.  He was good friends with many of the leading players who provided Armand with ideas on improving the product line.  These jazz drummers included Chick Webb, Gene Krupa, Ray Bauduc and B

Andy Zildjian is the president of the cymbal company his parents established in 1981, Sabian. With a long family tradition of cymbal making, Andy is proud to continue developing the company. Andy has worked to continue the core set of values established by his parents regarding customer and employee care as well as producing the best products possible. Andy and his team have continued to build the product lines and offer new and innovative products.  

Zoro is easily recognized walking most of the NAMM Shows and is often seen demonstrating his style on several products he uses during the shows. His knowledge of the products he plays makes him a perfect endorser and his passion for music makers makes him the ideal spokesperson for the benefits of playing an instrument. As a drummer, he is often called "The Master of Groove" and he is comfortable playing rock, hip-hop and R&B. Zoro has been influenced by many performers and drummers, including his hero, Elvis Presley.