OH Taxonomy
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...
Phil Hilborne turned the pages while next to his mother as a child as she played the piano. That early experience was not only a wonderful memory, but a useful training opportunity to read and understand music. He developed into a guitarist and a writer. Phil was able to convey thoughts and ideas...
Jade Yu has always treated her employees at Tycoon Music like family. She has worked as Managing Director with the company her husband started since the beginning, and is often called the mother of the company. Her kindness and caring nature is the reason why many employees stay with Tycoon for...
Steve Sykes found it easy to answer one of the biggest questions in a NAMM Oral History interview; “Did you have music in your house growing up?”. Steve’s mom was a booking agent in the 1950s which led Steve to early encounters with the likes of Art Blakely, Nina Simone, Jimmy Smith, and Buddy Rich...
Nat Kusano has always been compelled to create and market ideas and products that inspire and encourage people to pick up an instrument and play. Having had piano lessons when he was a child, Nat grew up understanding the importance of providing the right tools, such as method books with large...
Sabine Grubmüller joined the Bösendorfer Piano company in 2008, the same year the historic piano manufacturer was purchased by Yamaha. In 2015 Sabine was named the Managing Director and outlined a plan to continue the company’s traditions while embracing changes that helped keep the company...
Renato Silva has established the Renaer Group in Brazil, which represents a number of South American pro audio companies. Renato is proud of the growth of the company and attributes the success on bringing together the right pro audio companies and having a dedicated staff that believes in the...
Jim Mathews was playing drums and formed a band when he was just ten years old. He was encouraged by his mother, who was a singer in the big bands during the swing era. He soon developed a strong interest in audio equipment as he could see how much gear could help the band improve its sound and...
Masato Horibe is proud of the origins of his company, which date back to 1917 when Mr. Niimi opened a small store in Japan. He first began selling phonograph needles and later brought into the harmonica. After World War II, school band instruments became a major focus of the business, helping the...
Willie Bam Bam Parker’s mother has said that at birth, her son came out swinging and she knew even then that he was going to be a drummer. At age 3 his love of drums was rewarded his with his first kit, a Smurf drum set. By age ten Willie was playing in a variety of different church groups,...