Deceased

Paul Tanner joined Glenn Miller's newly formed band in 1938 and recorded all of the band's hits including "In the Mood" and "String of Pearls."  He often said "Everything the Glenn Miller Orchestra did from 1938-1942, I did."  When Glenn signed on to lead the military band during the war, the civilian band broke up and Paul moved to Los Angeles to record in the studios. While in southern California, Paul enrolled at UCLA, which offered him a teaching job and advanced degrees upon his graduation four years later; he went on to teach music there for nearly 30 years.  Among his stude

William Tapia stood up in front of United States solders playing his ukulele and singing at the tender age of eight years old. He was entertaining the troops for World War I and did not stop playing until the year of his passing at the age of 103!  His life in music was almost as fasinating as his interest in sharing the gift of music to all those he met.  Over the years he created a unique sound on the uke and tenor uke, which he recorded and can be heard on many movie sound tracks.

Bill Tarpley remembered the stories his father used to tell him about the early days of the family music retail store in west Texas. Times were hard during the era of the dust bowls and depression, but he credits his father’s skills as both a businessman and salesman in the success of the store. After serving in the Korean War, Bill returned to Texas and worked in the store full time. He and his brother Buzz became co-owners and expanded the company to include several product lines with a continued focus on pianos and organs. In 1972 they moved from Pampa to Amarillo where Bill ov

Buzz Tarpley grew up in the music business. His grandmother was selling pianos as early as 1917 in West Texas. The Tarpley family officially opened a music store in 1927 in Pampa, Texas. Buzz recalled growing up in the late 1930s and 40s and the many radio sets his father would sell. He also remembers loading and unloading many a piano as a teenager, before entering the business after finishing school. Buzz and his older brother Bill were equal owners in the business which expanded to several locations including Lubbock and Amarillo. His son and nephew took over the business when

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Buddy Tate was a leading saxophonist during the Big Band Era. Buddy played with such celebrated jazz bands as Andy Kirk, Count Basie, and Lionel Hampton. Beginning in 1947, Buddy led his own band, which recorded on and off until 1990 with such jazz giants as Clark Terry and Buck Clayton. Image courtesy of the Downbeat archives.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Grady Tate was a prolific jazz drummer who laid the beat for such performers as Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton, Quincy Jones, Count Basie, and Ray Charles. He gained a wider fan base when he performed as the drummer on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for seven years and as the percussionist for the famous Simon & Garfunkel Concert in Central Park in 1981. As a leader, Grady recorded several albums for Skye and Impulse Records including "Feeli

Larry Taylor joined the rock/blues band Canned Heat in 1967 just before the band’s string of hit recordings. The gig came after nearly 6 years as a recording artist playing both guitar and bass. As a member of Canned Heat, Larry played Woodstock and Monterey, performing the band’s hits including “Going Up the Country" and "On the Road Again," both of which became international hits. In the 70s and 80s Larry played a key role in the development and popularity of The Hollywood Fats Band, bringing a new feel to the rock/blues bands. Sadly, Larry passed away at the age of 77 just a fe

Bryce Taylor was one of the best known and respected bandmasters in the state of Texas. His school bands performed at the Midwest Band Clinic, TMEA, and the Texas Bandmaster’s Association (TBA) for several decades. His close relations with music dealers made Mr. Taylor a role model for up and coming music directors who were encouraged by Mr. Taylor’s success. He was awarded the TBA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 and said at the time, “This award is for all of us who love teaching music.”

Tut Taylor was a world renowned Dobro player, but did you know he partnered with George Gruhn and the two hired Randy Wood to form a music store in Nashville?  Gruhn Guitars began as GTR, which was an abbreviation for George, Tut and Randy, when it opened in the 1970s. Although George would buy Tut out a short time later, the experience inspired Tut to continue to collect guitars and other stringed instruments. This included another partnership with Randy, opening the Old Time Pickin’ Parlor, and soon thereafter purchasing the assets of the Grammer Guitar Company.

Elaine Taylor began working on the bench at Selmer in Elkhart in 1975, where she covered cases.  Over the years she has worked in the cork and padding department for saxophones, also in the instrument cleaning department, in the office and then as a supervisor in the instrument accessory distribution center.  Elaine later worked in the purchasing department for band instrument repair parts and accessories. She passed away at the age of 64 in 2019 and is missed by all who knew her.

Billy Taylor was first and foremost a jazz pianist. This fact might surprise some people who knew Billy best for one of a number of other careers he enjoyed in music, including teaching, composing and advocating for music education. As a jazz performer, Billy learned from the best including Ben Webster and Mary Lou Williams. He recorded with his own groups as well as many of the leading performers in jazz and all the while kept his eye on how we could increase the awareness of music and music making. Billy had several successful radio programs as well as musical director positions

Joe Teixeira opened a small music store in San Jose, California, in 1964. As the fiftieth anniversary approached in 2013, Joe sat down for his NAMM Oral History interview to begin documenting the contributions of Music Village. The company had grown to two locations and continued to focus on teaching, just as Joe had done from the very beginning. The popularity of the guitar in the early 1960s helped establish the store, both through its strong instrument selection and its commitment to lessons and repairs.

Horst Teller was the son of Oskar Teller, who formed a small workshop in 1929 in Schonbach to make musical instruments. After World War II, the company was rebuilt in Bubenreuth in 1949 and soon Oskar was joined in his shop by his son Horst. Horst began expanding the product line to include dulcimers while continuing in the tradition of his father with a focus on guitars and zithers. The company was moved in 1980 when Horst’s son Wolfgang took over the business and changed the name but also followed the traditions of his father and grandfather.  

Artur Teller created a successful career by producing highly regarded violin bridges and supplying them to luthiers in and around his hometown of Bubenreuth, Germany. Like many of the instrument builders he sold to, Artur and his family moved to Bubenreuth after World War II as the small town sought to bring luthiers to the area in order to help redevelop the town following the war. Artur expanded his business over time by selling his products outside of the area and soon around the world.

Clark Terry enjoyed a long and celebrated career as a trumpeter playing with nearly ever iconic jazz musician of the twentieth century. His tone and style of playing was an influence on school children and professionals alike and his friendly and warm personality made him one of the most-liked, sought-after musicians in the world. Clark’s connection with the music products industry began when the Selmer Company requested that he endorse their line of trumpets in the 1940s. Years later the Elkhart, Indiana based company made a specialized flugelhorn for Clark, which became an instr

Vinny Testa was the founder of Testa Communications, which he established in 1984 to provide the music products industry with such trade magazines as The Music & Sound Retailer and DJ Times. Vinny enjoyed pioneering new ways of connecting with his readers including being one of the first to provide an industry based e-newsletter and ConventionTV, which was a regular feature in the lobby of many NAMM Shows over the years. At the heart of his many innovations was his own passion for music.

Toots Thielemans enjoyed an incredible career as both a jazz guitarist and a jazz harmonica player. In fact, it is Toots who is credited for bringing the harmonica to jazz. He has performed with nearly every great jazz icon of the century including Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, and Herbie Hancock. Toots composed the jazz standard “Bluesette” and “Ladyfingers.” With a laugh and a smile Toots recalled his life during his NAMM interview, ending with “I believe in music, don’t you?”  

Ed Thigpen, known as Mr. Taste for his remarkable touch and feel as an innovative drummer, had a few (hundred) tricks up his musical sleeves when it came to brush work on the snare drums or speed on the high-hat. As a jazz drummer, Ed played with just about everyone everywhere. And yet, he was a firm believer in encouraging future percussionists and thus wrote method books and providing countless clinics in the hope of inspiring others to make music! His impact on the industry may never be fully realized but it will be felt for years to come.  

Mark Thomas was a noted flute player who toured the world and recorded several albums during his long career.  As a product endorser, Mark appeared in several printed ads over the years as he was hired by several flute makers as a product engineer to help improve and in some cases, design musical instruments.  One of Mark's favorite memories was the opening of the NAMM Show in 1976.  To commemorate the bicentennial of the United States, the president of NAMM carried the flag, William F. Ludwig II played the rope drum and Mark played the piccolo to welcome the industry to the show.

Russell Thomas was a band director for over 34 years.  During his teaching years he often felt frustrated that simple repairs would take weeks and often delay concerts or rehearsals.  A local music store provided him an opportunity to learn simple repairs, which led to a passion that resulted in training at Allied Supply.  In 1967 he opened Thomas Music Inc. in upstate New York.  Russell was at the very first meeting of repairmen who helped form NAPBIRT. 

Johnny Thompson had the distinction of being the very first music student of a young steel guitar player named Ernie ball. Back in the early 1950s, before he established a string company, Ernie was a well-known country player in and around the Los Angeles area and taught a few students for extra money. Studying under Ernie was key to Johnny’s career, as he became a close friend and mentor. In fact, he inspired Johnny to teach lessons on his own starting in 1959. The following year he established Johnny Thompson music in Monterey Park, California. Five years later he constructed hi

Terence James Thompson played the clarinet just as his father and grandfather did. Terence played clarinet in the British Army after World War II and in 1948 attended the Birmingham School of Music. He began to teach in a Birmingham area high school in 1950. He quickly discovered that he was unable to teach his students without writing out song structures, which were not available in the method books at the time. So, he set out to write a series of books and later a large number of classical pieces, which featured the clarinet. His works have been published by a number of companie

Morley Thompson’s financial background was a key element in the expansion of the Baldwin Piano Company during the 1980s. Morley created a credit company and finance programs under the Baldwin name to branch off from the company’s core technology and invest on a larger scale. The changes came in the years following the popularity of electronic instruments and the on-set of MIDI technology. Many traditional piano companies feared the end was near. Morley’s strategies were recognized outside of the industry as well as within, with Forbes magazine profiling Morley and his new approach

Phil Thompson enjoyed working in the leather company his grandfather formed in Nashville. As a teenager Phil made himself a leather guitar strap in the shop, although the business at the time was devoted to horse accessories. When Martin Guitars asked if the company could make a series of straps, the Thompson family had a discussion on the future of the company and decided to become part of the music industry. Over the years, the Long Hollow Leather Company has grown and now provides a large line of styles to retail customers around the world. 

Lyndell Thompson was delighted when her two sons, Phil and James, came to her and her husband with a new idea for their Nashville-based leather company. The year was 1978. Until that point the company had made horse accessories, a market that was slowly decreasing. The boys suggested making leather guitar straps based on the strength of a request from the Martin Guitar Company. Lyndell enjoys working in the shop and handles most of the phone calls and orders.  

Victor Tibaldeo Sr. loved to talk about the accordion boom of the 1950s, an element that helped establish his music store. The Miami-based store also was one of the country’s most successful organ retailers when that instrument hit its boom in the 1970s. Victor always said it helps to be in business at the right time, but “what is most critical is having employees who understand customer service.” In 2008, after 60 years in the business, Victor retired. Victor Piano and Organs Inc. is still going strong and is now run by his daughter, Lisa Tibaldeo.  

Johnny Tillotson had a music television program as a teenager in Florida before landing a string of hit recordings including his smash hit “Poetry In Motion” in 1961. A year later Johnny wrote the song “It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin’” which was not only a top ten hit for him but later recorded by Elvis Presley among other artists. Johnny’s friendship with Elvis goes back to the days Elvis was on the road following a few recordings for Sun Records, several months before the young truck driver signed for RCA and hit the big time. Johnny continued to perform, write and record with his p

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Martha Tilton was a famous singer during the Big Band Era best known for her vocals on the Benny Goodman hit record "And The Angels Sing." Known as The Liltin' Martha Tilton, she dropped out of high school to join a traveling big band. She met Benny Goodman on a radio show in 1938 and a year later recorded their big hit, "And The Angels Sing," which also featured the trumpeter Ziggy Elman.

Fred Tinker and Rodgers Jenkins formed the Rodger Instrument Company in 1958. The partnership began when their church asked if they would join the team to help purchase an organ. Fred and Rodgers thought they could build one instead. Over the years the company introduced many innovative products, including being the first to use transistors in a musical instrument. Fred not only led the engineering department, he also hired many key engineers over the years, including George Kirkwood. Fred remarked during his NAMM interview that he felt lucky to have worked with such talented peop

Jerry Tishkoff and his brother Eddie owned the famous Hollywood Piano Company and Hollywood Piano Rental Company located in Southern California. The stores gained fame for providing instruments for the movies going as far back as “The Music Box” in 1932, starring Laurel and Hardy. Throughout the decades Hollywood Piano Rental was credited on the large and small screen for their contributions. The stores longest rental was the grand piano seen on the hit TV show “Frasier”, which ran on NBC from 1993 to 2004. The Tishkoff brothers were interviewed the day they sold the store to reti

Eddie Tishkoff and his brother Jerry owned the famous Hollywood Piano Company and Hollywood Piano Rental Company located in Southern California, one of the busiest piano rental outfits in the industry thanks to the nearby movie studios. The stores gained fame for providing instruments for the movies and countless television programs including I Love Lucy and Frasier which ran on NBC from 1993 to 2004 and always had a Hollywood Piano Steinway on the set. The Tishkoff brothers were interviewed the day they sold the store to retire.  

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Louise Tobin was a popular singer during the golden years of the Big Band Swing era. She performed with such bands as those led by Jack Jenney, Will Bradley, Benny Goodman, Bobby Hackett, Ben Pollack and Ziggy Elman. Louise was born in Texas and was singing on stage by the time she was 12 years old. She joined the Art Hicks in 1935 in Dallas before joining the very successful dance band of Ben Pollack in 1937.