Kurzweil Music

Philip Dodds seemed to always be drawn to electric musical instruments as a teen, so it was no shock that he made a major contribution to the field of keyboard and synthesizer development over his long and successful career. He was hired by ARP in 1970 as the world was first being introduced to the many new sounds being produced electronically. He worked his way to vice president of ARP and years later held that same position at Kurzweil Music. One of the many fun parts of his career took place in 1977 when a young movie director named Steven Spielberg requested that an ARP techni

Daniel Fisher has a long and interesting history in music, which began as a child when his parents discovered that he could play by ear at age 5. His education continued on a Hammond B3 organ when nuns taught Daniel in their convent and he began playing synthesizers starting in the mid-1970s. In 1980, Fisher studied on a Moog System 55 Modular Synthesizer at Northern Illinois University and later became the keyboardist for the United States Army Rock Band which toured Europe and the US.

Robert Hartford was originally hired by ARP in 1977 as the company’s janitor, but soon was promoted as a clever facilities manager who was the guy who “knew how to get things done.” His principal role over the years is not well known, but ought to be. He is one of those guys the team can depend upon and who does great work “behind the scenes.” As the director of the plant’s relocation project, Robert assisted in the expansion of the company’s operations, which included wood working and silk screening.

John Hopkins became best friends with Chuck Surack, the founder of Sweetwater Sound, thanks to one phone call. Running his own heating and air condition company by day and helping his classical trained pianist wife by night, John found himself answering an ad in a magazine to purchase a keyboard upgrade. The year was 1988 and when John called Sweetwater for the purchase, the founder and owner, Chuck Surack, answered. They became fast friends and in fact Chuck hired John in 1992 and the two worked together until Chuck stepped up to chairman.

Steven Kinchen dreamed of playing music ever since he was a small child.  When he had a chance to work in the music industry following his music degree in college, Steven jumped at the chance. Thanks to a professor’s recommendation, Steven visited with Dan Hall, the founder of Hall Piano Company in Metairie, Louisiana.  Mr. Hall offered him a job and the rest is history!  Among his first duties with the store when he arrived in early 1990 was to develop the synthesizer department.  From that experience, the store began a long and successful relationship with the Kurzweil Company. 

Ray Kurzweil appeared on the popular 1950s and 1960s quiz show “I’ve Got a Secret” to reveal that he had made a computer that could make music. Since those early days, Ray has come to define the computer age of music making. Founder of Kurzweil Music, Ray designed some of the industry’s most noted electronic instruments of the 1980s and 1990s.

Mike Martin grew up tinkering on his grandmother’s piano before and taking piano lessons throughout his school years. Hearing his first synthesizer helped provide the motivation to work towards buying his first one in the early 1980s which he still has today. Mike got his official start in the industry when he took his first job in a music store in high school and eventually transitioned into a sales position with Kurzweil, and then took on a position at Yamaha. Now as the General Manager of Marketing of Electronic Musical Instruments at Casio, Mike just celebrated his ninth year

Chris Martirano started working for Kurzweil Music Systems in 1986. For the first few years he was on the sales side of the equation, originally the district sales manager for the northeastern U.S., then promoted to regional manager for all states east of the Mississippi River in 1988. Later he served as Kurzweil’s director of product development for 12 years, steering the creation of some of the most powerful and forward-looking synthesizers ever made, including the K2000, K2500, and K2600, all of which sported V.A.S.T., Kurzweil’s potent variable architecture synthesis technolog

Chuck Surack is the founder and president of Sweetwater Sound, one of the landmark companies within the music products industry.  He formed the company in 1979 and worked hard to gather the brands his customers wanted and to provide the care and service he himself would want.  Chuck has supported music educational and advocacy programs as well as serving the industry in such roles as on the NAMM Board of Directors and supporting the NAMM Oral History program over the years.  With all that he has done, Chuck continues to perform his saxophone, just as he always has.

Stevie Wonder has earned the title of the "Mayor of the NAMM Show" for his countless visits to the show floor over the years.  He has become an important part of the music products industry not only in promoting new technologies, but in working with companies to design and improve instruments.  Among the products he helped create was a synthesizer for musicians with blindness, that was engineered by Ray Kurzweil.  Stevie has also participated in the Breakfast of Champions sessions and NAMM's music education initiatives.