I'm Art Reblitz. When I saw a Seeburg KT Special orchestrion in Frank
Johns' "Midway Arcade" just north of the amusement pier in Daytona Beach,
Florida at age 7 in 1954, I knew I was hooked on automatic music.
I've been restoring mechanical instruments since 1965, when I had the
wonderful opportunity to get my hands on 50+ coin pianos and orchestrions
at Svoboda's Nickelodeon Tavern in Chicago Heights, Illinois, under the
tutelage of Dave Ramey, part-time for about six years.
I'm one of a small handful of restorers with a background in classical
music who also likes automatic instruments -- my Mom performed the Grieg
A-minor piano concerto with the Chicago Symphony while an undergraduate
at the American Conservatory, and taught piano in our home while I was
growing up. After getting my degree in music education from the
University of Illinois in 1968, followed by a 4-year stint in the NORAD
band, I settled into a full-time restoration business, specializing in
reproducing pianos, orchestrions and band organs.
I've also arranged approximately 300 music rolls for a variety of
instruments. I don't offer roll perforating services, nor can I schedule
any additional restoration or arranging work, nor consultation, at this
time.
Best regards,
Art Reblitz
[ Art,
[ Welcome to the MMD and to the Internet. I'm excited to have you
[ as a participant in the MMD and hope that your schedule allows you
[ to contribute articles from time to time. -- Jody (and Robbie by proxy)
|