New York City NY
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 provided the foundation for a generation of DJs and MCs, as well as set the stage of EDM and other forms of...
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 young songwriters and publishers. After serving SESAC for many years as Vice President of Writer/Publisher ...
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 Hammond Organ and the daughter of Bob Seidman, the founder of the wholesaler Seidman Sales. Both loves followed him...
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 and soon developed a strong business known for its customer service. The full line store gained a reputation...
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, Sam Ash. In addition, Ben is the third generation Ash to be interviewed for the NAMM Oral History program, a...
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...
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 player. His devotion to his customers pushed him into wanting to do the best he could in design and in craftwork...
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 went to Nashville in the early 1950s representing a new company named to conjure up thoughts of country music. In...
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 Hop. From his home turf of Bronx River, Afrika Bambaataa nurtured the development of Hip Hop culture from it's...
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 labels giving opportunities for the likes of Ruth Brown and Ray Charles to be heard! Miriam ran the office and...