Music Manufacturers

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 by day, and by night they helped to grow the musical talent in and around New York with their passion and love of music.  Judy played piano as a young girl and attended a college in Massachusetts where,at the time, she met David. 

John Galante was the accountant for the Story & Clark Piano Company beginning in the late 1950s. John oversaw the growth and development of the piano industry during those years and witnessed first hand the powerful team at Story & Clark as they worked to compete with the home organ boom, which became strong in the mid to late 1960s. John enjoyed his role within the company and took pride in the team of people that he brought together on various programs over the years.

Matteo Galanti and his family were instrumental in the growth and development of the accordion and organ industry, both inside and outside the United States..

Jamie Gale, the visionary founder of Jamie Gale Music, hails from Ontario, Canada, where his fervent love affair with music, particularly the guitar, blossomed from a young age. From the inception of his own music school to the acquisition of The Music Shack, Jamie's entrepreneurial spirit propelled him to champion the cause of lesser-known yet extraordinary guitar artisans. Recognizing the unmet need to amplify the voices of these unsung craftsmen, Jamie dove into the realm of guitar manufacturing and distribution, establishing a platform for their ingenuity to shine.

Bryan Galloup somehow convinced his parents to set up a guitar repair shop in their basement back in 1975. Their support encouraged young Bryan to learn all he could about the art of guitar repair. This would later play a big role in his desire to pay it forward by establishing his own school for luthiers in 1984. Bryan became an expert on flat-top steel guitars and enjoyed repairs on Gibson and Martins as each one taught him a little more about the instruments and how they were designed and constructed.

Jim Gamble envisioned a console that would give an engineer ultimate control of the audio being mixed.  He started by working for one of the original sound reinforcement companies and helped write the book on the touring industry.  The experiences that he had working with some of the most revered  bands of all time, over decades, helped influence his consoles designs.  The number of bands are too numerous to mention but were many of the leading acts in each decade for the last fifty years.  Mr. Gamble designs and manufactures both house and monitor consoles.

Mark Gander is the resident historian for JBL and for good reason. Mark has worked for the company for over 40 years, including a long period as Vice President of Marketing for JBL Professional under Sidney Harman. Mark's main focus has been product development and engineering. In fact, he worked on several noted products for the company over the years including designs of the Bi-Radial horns; the E Series, 2225 and other SFG woofers; series of studio monitors; the VRX line array; and JBL's ScreenArray cinema systems. Mark was on hand in 2017 when NAMM presented JBL with the 70 Ye

Marty Garcia saw a need to create a way for the singer and musicians performing on stage to hear themselves without the blaring floor monitors. The Ear Monitor Concepts and Products were introduced in the 1980s and soon allowed Marty, a then road sound engineer, to form his own company, Future Sonics. With the help of key endorsements from performers like Phil Collins, Marty was able to build the business and focus on a string of designs that have helped make the Ear Monitor Concepts as common as a microphone, with benefits to the user that include healthier ears!

Enrique Garcia is the Paint Booth Supervisor at Remo.  Starting several decades ago with Remo, he is responsible for overseeing the application of all the amazing colors that appear on Remo products.  He carefully explained how important it is and how careful you have to be to paint a drum head evenly and sufficiently so that the paint will last but not too much so as to affect the sound of the drumhead, a delicate balance.  He also takes great pride in telling about the recognition he receives when he wears a Remo logo on a jacket or shirt while traveling, even in other countries

Rob Garofala has been a devoted gearhead since childhood, a label he wears proudly. A drummer, guitarist, and recording engineer, Rob’s multifaceted background made him a natural fit for his role as product specialist at Gator Cases. Music runs in his blood—his father played accordion and keyboards, sparking young Rob’s fascination with sound and instrumentation. After experimenting with clarinet and bass in school, he found his true voice on the drums during his senior year of high school. His path led him deep into the live sound and studio worlds, where he became a skilled reco

Jacques Gaudet was president of the famous French brass instruments production company, Antoine Courtois. Since 1789, the name Courtois has been synonymous with fine brass instruments. In 1917, Jacques' grandfather, Emanuel Gaudet, was a music publisher who acquired the company. When Jacques’ father took over, he moved part of the production facilities from their cramped quarters in Paris to Amboise. Then in 1990, Jacques became the company’s president. He modernized production and moved the remaining parts of the company to Amboise.

Don Gayle served as a technical writer for Shure for three decades, after a long and distinguished career as a professor of literature. While at Shure, Don’s language skills were key to the quality of materials for instructing customers in the use of each product. These materials remain a well-respected component of the company. His NAMM Oral History interview was completed on July 25, 2005. 

Russ Gazda recalls listening to his mother playing the Hawaiian Guitar as a child. He played the accordion and later was introduced to the Hammond B-3, thanks to recordings by his hero Booker T. Jones. Russ sought to play wherever he could and in his early days he performed in lounges in the Chicago area, provided organ lessons and worked at the Wurlitzer retail store. He soon began selling organs at the store and in 1975 was hired by Wurlitzer to provide materials for their famous sales training program. The Wurlitzer Way program is legendary within the music industry as many of

Klaus Gehlhaar has had a passion for music and sound since a very early age. He was singing as a kid and by the age of 12 started his own band playing the guitar. He later switched to the bass. While playing in bands, he was often asked to help set up the PA system, which led to his interest in the electronics of audio. Klaus designed several studios and realized that customized furniture could play a vital role in the success and comfort of the clients. Klaus and his partner formed Zaor with the goal of creating studio furniture that hides cables and provides plenty of space for

Vic Geiger has had a long and impressive career in the piano and organ business going back to the day he was hired by Kimball in 1974. While with Kimball, Vic played an important role with the Bosendorfer Piano brand, working his way up to Executive Vice President of International Marketing. While working for Steinway for nine years beginning in 2000, Vic helped with the market research and strategic planning for the Essex and Boston product lines. After working for Sherman Clay, Vic decided to return to manufacturing with Rodgers Instrument Corp until his retirement in 2016.

Zafar Geoffrey grew up in Sialkot Pakistan, the home base for his family’s music company.  His grandfather established the company in 1912 with a focus on providing high quality bagpipes for the military.  The MH Geoffrey & Company grew in product line with the involvement of the founder’s two sons, one of which was Zafar’s father.  The company continued to grow and in 1979 Zafar officially joined the company, where he was able to work alongside his father for a few years.  At the time of the company’s centennial, Zafar’s son was working in the business, making it a fourth gen

William Gerien is the industrial and mechanical engineer who invented the Kahler Tremolo Bridge System for the electric guitar. Gary Kahler hired William to follow his design on a new system to add a tremolo or whammy bar to the guitar’s bridge. William machined the very first prototype and created the process for manufacturing the now famous bridge system. He later established his own company, Merlin 5, and worked with several guitar builders such as Fender to machine parts for their electronic instruments, all the while keeping a close working relationship with Gary Kahler.  

Ray Gerlich is the long-serving production engineer at Hammond Suzuki, and began playing the organ when he was ten years old. While in high school he was given the opportunity to apprentice with an organ builder, who encouraged Ray to attend technical school and study engineering. After school, he worked for Petersen’s Electronics as a technician building circuit boards. On January 3, 1976, Ray began his career at Hammond as a repair technician. When he joined the company, the factory workers were still using the same assembly techniques from World War II. Needless to say, Ray wit

Wilhelm Gertz was often seen working on the action of a vintage grand piano whenever you stopped to visit him in his store. After all, he has been doing this same thing most of his life. He was born into a family in Germany who ran the largest piano company in the country. He learned the craft, which he proudly passed along to his son. The W. Gertz Piano Company was located in New Haven, Connecticut, where his son carries on the family traditions.  

Tom Getzen is president of the horn company his father established in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. The Getzen Company is world renowned for the hand-made products such as trumpets and trombones and has introduced several innovative improvements to the instruments over the years. Tom’s father also helped create the National Association of Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT), which for decades has sought to create standards in band instrument care and provide training classes and a monthly newsletter devoted to helping the repair techs.

Don Getzen sure knew the history of the band instruments made in the mid-west! Don’s father was the plant manager for the Holton Company in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, his oldest uncle was the plant manager for the York Band Instrument Company in Michigan and at the same time his other uncle was the plant manager for the CG Conn Company in Elkhart, Indiana. In 1939 Don’s father formed the Getzen Company where he and his brother Bob worked growing up. Don later established DEG Musical in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for which he designed several innovative products, two of which he held patents.

Roberto Giannini is part of the third generation running Giannini Musical Instruments alongside his brother, Flavio. Their company has thrived on being innovative and working around issues. During WWII when supplies were cut off, they began making their own strings and then between the 1960-1990s due to economic issues they became even more self-sufficient making all of their own products. They continue to modernize their business while staying true to their family roots and preparing their sons (the 4th generation) to continue the legacy.

Flavio Giannini is part of the third generation running Giannini Musical Instruments alongside his brother, Roberto. One of their most well-known designs is the Craviola, which is designed to be a smaller and therefor more comfortable instrument to play. As they introduce new products, they strive to keep the tradition alive by maintaining the high quality in their products and continuing in their innovative thinking. They continue to modernize their business while staying true to their family roots and preparing their sons (the 4th generation) to continue the legacy.

Giorgio Giannini proudly recalled the beginning of his family’s involvement in the music industry as part of his interview for the NAMM Oral History collection.  Mr. Tranquillo Giannini was a well-respected luthier in Italy who had the vision to set up his work shop in South America.  In 1900, he established a small factory to produce musical instruments in Brazil, and Mr.

Jimmy Gibbs opened the very first crate containing a Hammond B-3 in the United Kingdom in the 1950s. Several years later, at the height of the Cold War, Jimmy brought the famous organ to Moscow, the first person to do so in history. He found that “music can speak every language and that no one ever needs to interpret a smile on the face of those playing music. We all know what that smile means!” Jimmy was also an important leader in establishing Hammond Dealers throughout Europe. 

Mark Gifford was a band instrument repairman before he joined the King Band Instrument Company, now known as Conn-Selmer.  The factory, located outside of Cleveland, Ohio produces a long line of brass instruments, some of which Mark had a hand in designing. The reputation of the company, which began as HN White, is known throughout the world for quality and consistency.  Mark's passion for the instruments adds to that reputation, as does the motivation and inspiration of the entire staff.

Pirmin Giger is the luthier who partnered with Silvan Kung to form Relish Guitars. Located in Switzerland, the company creates electric guitars based on the “sandwich” design of several materials in order to produce the sound Pirman has in mind.  In 2010, they worked on the Jane series of guitars and later released the Mary series, with the idea that all good guitars should have a nice and appealing name!  Relish has been exhibiting at NAMM, where Pirman feels it is an ideal event to launch their new products into the market.

Rocky Giglio was a pivotal leader in the development and marketing of the jj Babbitt mouthpieces product line. For years, he diligently listened to feedback from customers and professional musicians, always seeking ways to enhance their mouthpieces while upholding jj Babbitt’s renowned traditions and quality. Prior to his tenure at jj Babbitt, Rocky held a similar role at the CG Conn company in Elkhart, Indiana, for many years. He was also a staunch supporter of the NAMM Oral History program, offering invaluable advice and ideas that enriched the collection and helped document the

Billy Gill often smiles when recalling how his love of music began—with a Clash album that ignited a lifelong passion for the guitar. That spark set him on a path that would eventually connect him with some of the most respected names and companies in the music products industry. One of the most remarkable moments of his journey happened purely by chance. While skateboarding near what he thought was just another warehouse, Billy unknowingly passed by the Seymour Duncan factory. A fortuitous meeting with Cathy Duncan would change his life forever.

Garth Gilman finished his MBA and through a mutual friend met Tom Sumner who provided a tour of the Yamaha offices in Buena Park.  Tom, who at the time was the General Manager of the Pro Audio/Combo Division, recognized Garth’s passion for music and interest in business.  The two discussed the opportunities at Yamaha and Garth found it a perfect fit.  His roles within Yamaha began as the Administration Manager for the Band & Orchestra Division and four years later moved into the Pro Audio Combo Division as a Director, then Assistant General Manger before returning to the Band

Kurt Glaesel was born into a violin-making family, which dates back to 1720, but it was Kurt who made his family name nationally known. After a noted 20 year career with Heinrich Roth, Kurt established Glaesel String Instrument Service, Inc. in 1973. The company was soon sold to Selmer, where Kurt remained making his handcrafted instruments for 15 additional years. During that time, Selmer marketed the string instrument line with a strong, worldwide campaign that featured Kurt’s likeness on each ad and brochure.  He was so very proud that his daughter Judy and his granddaughter Ha

Don Glasgow is the Director of Sales for North America for Grotrian Piano Company GmbH, joining the company in 2013.  Don’s role in the company followed a long career in the piano segment of the industry and adds to the rich history of the Grotrian history.  Friedrich Grotrian was born in 1803 in Schöningen, Germany, and as a young man lived in Moscow, where he ran a music business and was associated with piano manufacturing. Later in his life he teamed up with C.F. Theodor Steinweg, son of Heinrich Steinweg, to build pianos. Heinrich had emigrated to the U.S. about 1850, soon to