Jack Shallat

Jack Shallat was a professional violin player who landed several gigs with traveling bands in the 1930s and 40s.  During that time he met Buddy Rogers and both men opened separate music stores in and around Cincinnati in the early 1950s.  In 1967 they decided to merge their businesses and work together.  Their friendship grew over the years and in fact they both retired at the age of 70.  “Working five more years past retirement didn’t seem like work when Bud was next to me” Jack recalled during his 2012 NAMM interview.  At the time of his interview, Jack was still gigging 3 nights a week at the age of 93.