DJ Grandmaster Flash combined his love of music with his passion for electronics to become one of the pioneers of Hip Hop music. His innovative style of mixing records and blending beats ...
Linda Lorence Critelli is an active and inspiring leader within the music publishing industry who continues to seek opportunities to strengthen relationships and encourage networking for ...
Scott Russ grew up in the music business, crawling around the floor. His parents opened a music retail store in 1947, before Scott was born. Growing up, Scott fell in love with the Hamm...
Kurt Zentmaier fondly recalls the stories his father told him on how the family music store was established back in 1959. Rondo Music’s first location was right outside of New York City ...
Ben Ash began working for his family’s store before he can remember. He is the fourth generation of Ash family members to work in the company that was formed by his great-grandfather, Sa...
Judy Gage was the key inspiration for her husband to open his own workshop to create bass instruments, which was a dream of his. Judy ran the business side and David made the instruments...
David Gage is a string-bass luthier who is known within the industry as the man who listens not only to music but to the musicians, to produce the instrument that bests works for each pla...
Ivan Mogull had a special connection with the Brill Building in New York City, the long time hub of music publishing for decades. Ivan was born the same year the famed building was built...
Susan Aberbach is the president of the music publishing company, Hill & Range, which was formed by her husband and his brother. The two brothers wanted to publish country music and we...
Miriam Bienstock was one of three founders of Atlantic Records, which set the stage for over 60 years of recordings of primarily black artists. In the early years this was one of the only...
Afrika Bambaataa, known as the godfather of Hip Hop, prefers to be referred to as the "Amen Ra of Universal Hip Hop Culture." He is one of the trinity of DJs known as the founders of Hip ...
Sam Ulano was the drum teacher, performer, method book author and drum shop owner whose name became synonymous with the world of drumming. During his long and celebrated career, Sam play...
DJ Grandmaster Caz is the pioneering DJ also known as the Cassanova Fly who played a role in the early development of Hip Hop in his hometown of the Bronx in New York. While Caz is best ...
DJ Rockin Rob, from the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, was spinning records in the early days of Hip Hop, perfecting what has been a very important element to DJing, the art of showmans...
DJ Johnny Juice is perhaps best known for his work on such records as “Rebel Without a Pause” with Public Enemy and “Musica Negra” with Rob Swift. The musical integrity of his contributi...
DJ Jazzy Joyce, born in the Bronx, grew up in the era that ushered in the Hip Hop movement of dance, culture and music beginning in local parks. Joyce developed her style with her strong...
DJ Dr. Duss, known throughout the Hip Hop world as the Mixologist, hails from the Millbrook section of the Bronx. Not only is he known as fellow legend, DJ Hollywood's DJ partner, he also...
DJ Steve Dee, from Harlem, grew up at the time when Hip Hop culture was developing in the parks in and around his neighborhood. He is the 1990 New Music Seminar DJ battle champion. He is ...
DJ Jazzy Jay is the pioneering DJ and producer who helped establish Hip Hop as more than a musical form but rather a cultural experience. He began spinning records in the parks of the Br...
DJ GrandWizzard Theodore is world famous for inventing the signature sound of Hip Hop, The Scratch, and he was around 13 years old at the time! The story of how this came about 1975 is a ...
Joe Berger knows sound! Joe has been mixing sound for over 30 years and he stopped counting at 35,000 bands! Also a virtuoso guitar player with his own definitive, unique playing style an...
Al Marinaro has helped define the role of the independent rep in the music products industry for over 40 years. Al’s passion for music and the industry has played a critical part in his q...
Sammy Ash was named after his grandfather, the founder of the Sam Ash Music Company in New York City. Like his grandfather, Sammy has a deep passion and understanding of the music busin...
Ernie Briefel played a tremendous role in the wholesaling of musical instruments in New York City, beginning in the 1950s. His understanding of the business and close partnerships resulte...
Murray Sunshine was a legend in the New York music retailing business. As an employee of Manny’s Music, hired by Manny himself, Murray witnessed first hand the growth of 48th Street as a ...
Rudy Pensa formed Rudy’s Music on 48th Street in New York City. It is a favorite for musicians and tourists alike. Beginning in the 1970s Rudy came to America from his native Argentina wi...
Henry Adler helped define the percussion industry with his music publishing company, drum shop and method books. His amazing life in music began as a drummer during the big band era. Hi...
Stanley Lager formed Dale Electronics Corporation in New York City in 1956. The company, well known as Dale Pro Audio, was among the very first to fill the growing electronic needs of ven...
Jerry Ash recalls his father, Sam Ash, giving him a pocket full of change and sending him off on the subway to New York City to pick up the sheet music orders from the publishers. With ni...
Bernice Ash began working at the Sam Ash Music Store in New York City in 1947, one year before marrying the founder’s eldest son, Jerry. Bernice and Jerry continued the tradition of keepi...
Paul Ash had great memories of his father, Sam Ash, the founder of Sam Ash Music in New York. Paul enjoyed the years he worked with his father and credited him for his knowledge of the mu...
Tom Catalano opened his music retail store in New Hyde Park, NY after years of teaching and playing guitar professionally. In fact, he was being paid to play guitar professionally while s...
