Kolstein Is Only 80 Years Old!

Kolstein (www.kolstein.com) celebrated its 80th anniversary with two receptions for string musicians, preferred customers, business associates, and employees. The first event was held at Kolstein’s Baldwin, Long Island, NY headquarters.The second occasion was at The Kolstein Center, one minute from the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. Kolstein ranks as one of America’s top three luthier manufacturers of fine quality string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass). It provides a variety of support services for string musicians.

Samuel Kolstein, born and raised in New York City’s lower east side developed a unique combination of both musical ability and tech engineering skills. As a student, he loved to play the bass for both jazz and classical music. During World War II he served in the United States Army, where he performed on three instruments and composed music, including several symphonies.

He established his own luthier manufacturing shop on 56th Street and 6th Avenue in New York City. Sam was known for his repair and creation of bows, along with building and restoration of bass instruments. He became known for providing services to several prominent musicians including the late cellist Yehudi Menhuin.

Beyond Sam’s beautiful craftsmanship he was active as a lecturer and instructor for the Violin Society of America, the Cello Congress, the Viola Society, and the International Society of Bassists.

It was a combination of the 56th Street property being sold and the demand for more space which led Sam and his son, Barrie to re-locate in a much larger warehouse facility in Baldwin, a New York City suburb.

From the mid-1970’s Barrie apprenticed under his father learning how to make and restore string instruments. By 1981, Barrie was responsible for operating all aspects of Kolstein. He has become a luthier for several hundred instruments and continues to apply his craft at Kolstein. Following in his father’s mantra, Barrie immersed himself in a number of professional music peer organizations through his career.

About twenty years ago, a devoted teenage violin student from East Rockaway (NY) School District visited Kolstein-Baldwin with his mother. He was in awe when Barrie Kolstein encouraged him to take home a quality violin and “audition it” for a week! Manny Alvarez broke the news to his parents that this beautiful violin would cost $3000---this was out of the question for this working class blue collar family.

Manny humbly returned the violin to Kolstein, explaining how even though this was an instrument he admired and would be proud to play---it represented too much money for his parents. As Manny was walking out the door, Barrie Kolstein called him back: Kolstein needed an intern who could assist on maintaining the inventory of instruments and supplies, on cleaning up after the luthiers. Would Manny be able to do this work after school, weekends, and summers, as a means to pay off the cost of this violin? YES! Manny became a loyal, consistent, experienced team member at Kolstein.

As he approached his senior years, Barrie Kolstein wanted to continue working as a luthier craftsman. Manny Alvarez acquired Kolstein four years ago, with a goal of taking the organization to the next level---allowing Barrie to concentrate on making instruments.

Manny opened The Kolstein Center a minute from Carnegie Hall. It was a coincidence that 153 West 58th Street is several blocks from Samuel Kolstein’s original shop. As part of this initiative, Manny launched “The Kolstein Performance Showcase” where emerging string musicians have been given an opportunity to perform in the high-profile lobby of the prestigious landmark Essex House Hotel, adjacent to Kolstein.

Manny also started optimizing the quality brand and following which Kolstein has cultivated over its eighty year history. Mi Vida Strings owned and operated by The Trujillo Family in suburban Denver, CO joined The Kolstein Collective this past year. Mi Vida Strings now has a connection to the image and status which Kolstein offers by Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Broadway.

Manny and Barrie have also created the Kolstein Music Artists. So far this includes prominent double bass jazz musician Mike Bisio (ranked by All About Jazz as #36 in the world) and Ha Young Jung (the Principal Bass Player with the New Jersey Symphony, and a bass player with the New York Philharmonic).

Kolstein President Manny Alvarez (right) together with Barrie Kolstein (center) greet some of their 80th anniversary celebration guests: (left to right) jazz bassist Saadi Zain, Dr. Yeou Cheng Ma from the Children’s Orchestra Society, and jazz bassist Ron Carter.