OH Taxonomy
Dave Surber’s father was a United States Navy musician who worked for the Leblanc Company after he retired from the navy. When Dave was looking for a job his father found one for him in the buffing room at Leblanc. Dave moved into polishing clarinet keys while his father worked with artist...
Chuck Dadisman grew up on a farm and went to school to become a school music teacher, which he did for five years before moving to Omaha, NE, where he worked in piano and organ retail. It was at that store that he met one of the mentors in his life, Dick Carlson. Dick was the road rep for...
Craig Richard is a professional saxophonist who has played with the likes of Kenny G and was hired by Bobby Dukoff Mouthpiece Company’s president, Nic Hernandez, as product specialist. Within that role Craig studies the many mouthpieces both past and present to determine sound quality. He plays...
Jeanne Dukoff married the swing saxophonist and mouthpiece maker Bobby Dukoff. Bobby suffered a stroke just before his scheduled NAMM Oral History interview and in true “Bobby Dukoff Spirit” Mrs. Dukoff rose to the occasion, sitting alongside her husband and answering the questions for him. Sadly...
Nicolas Hernandez played professional guitar when he met Bobby Dukoff in the early 1990s. The famed saxophonist and mouthpiece maker took Nic under his wing and taught him the trade. Nic’s skills as a craftsman were a perfect fit with Bobby and not only did the two become great business partners...
Bobby Dukoff was a big band saxophone player during the swing era when he looked for ways of improving his own sound. While working for the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Bobby began playing his own mouthpiece, which showcased his style. Soon other musicians were asking for the mouthpiece and the Bobby...
John Edmondson and Anne McGinty worked together at Charles Hansen Publishing, where they met. Together they freelanced as composers and arrangers until they decided to form their own firm, which they called Queenwood Publications. They built a solid catalog within the company, which was well-...
Bob Saunders began working in the accounting department for Kaman Corporation. He was asked by the company’s founder, Charlie, to work with his son Bill for the Kaman Music Corporation. After Bill retired, Bob took over as CEO and President of Kaman Music and ran the company for over a decade. ...
Kathi Kretzer is the founder of Kretzer Piano in Jupiter, Florida. She established the store in 1985 and has since been an active member of the music industry as well as her local community. The store is the authorized Yamaha Piano dealer in the area and has provided countless programs and events...
Lee Donais may be the only industry member who played piano (as part of the Navy Band) for three United States Presidents: Johnson, Nixon and Ford. After his career with the Navy Band, Lee was hired by Gordon Keller to help run His string of piano stores on the east coast. Lee moved to Florida...