JOHN'S LEGACY
THE LEGACY OF THE PIANO MAN
In Loving Memory of John Brower
12/30/57 - 9/1/18
John came from several inspiring generations of craftsmen, entrepreneurs, and artisans. A master of his craft and a humble man of God, his wisdom, patience, and devotion shaped every part of his life—family, work, and daily interactions.
John's calling and love in life was working on pianos. He always lived by '' Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life '' - Unknown
John passed away in September 2018, but his dedicated family, trained by him, continues his legacy. Now in its 4th generation, Brower Piano is led by his wife Cher and youngest daughter Triana. With updated services, we're here to help your piano reach its full potential.
John, a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) and third-generation craftsman, tuned and restored pianos for over 40 years. His clients included Lyle Lovett, Brandi Carlisle, Peter Nero, Count Basie, Huey Lewis and the News, Joel Grey, Glenn Miller Orchestras, Symphony Hall, Monmouth University, Miami University, Steinway Miami, Florida Grand Opera, Revolution Live, NCL Cruise Lines, Colony Theater (Miami Beach), Plaza Theater, Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center, Florida Atlantic University, and many commercial jazz, classical, and pop venues on the East Coast.
John was trained in both aural and hybrid tuning methods, providing the best and most consistent results.
Quality service means better value—trust a qualified technician!
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before and afters.
John,
'' The universe works in strange ways. That piano was the heart and soul of my house growing up in Brooklyn, NY. My parents bought it in 1934, the year after they were married and during the Depression, so you can imagine what a sacrifice it was and how much music meant to them. I come from a family of musicians and entertainers. My grandmother’s brothers were vaudevillians, and her sisters played piano in theaters for silent movies. My mother played by ear, and she and her sister sang on the radio and entertained the troops during WWII, later pursuing other musical ventures. My dad sang, too. This piano was the epicenter of family gatherings, parties with friends, and, in fact, our lives. My brother and I learned and practiced on it. His signature piece was Moonlight Sonata, though he preferred to improvise (even on Beethoven) and play by ear...
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I wasn’t much for the discipline of practice, but I played to learn music from different eras and to accompany my singing.
The piano moved with my parents to Miami Beach in the early 1970s and continued to be the musical glue that held us together. Over the years, it endured humidity and several hurricanes, the last of which was Wilma. She blew in glass doors and windows and lots of wind-driven rain. By that time, Dad had passed, and Mom was too ill to play. She passed shortly after, and eventually her apartment was sold. Sadly, no one in the family could accommodate this large, wonderful piano.
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My brother was gravely ill as well, and we couldn’t find the motivation to restore it. So, it was donated to a restaurant in the building. I was happy it would at least continue to live.
Recently, I found out that my niece Susie, who has a strong intuition, felt an overwhelming urge to find and bring this lost family member back for her own family.
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She followed those instincts, and timing was everything. She found the piano, abandoned, and then found you. She said, “This guy is really an artist.” She sent me your link, and this morning I visited your blog to see this songful soul being painstakingly and lovingly resurrected from the grave. I am so deeply moved. It is beyond words.
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I am so grateful to you and want you to know the significance of what you are doing. To paraphrase my sister-in-law, Susie’s children will touch the keys their grandfather touched, and it will forever be a part of us all.
I am also deeply grateful to Susie for her courage in following her heart and acting on her instincts to make this ‘mitzvah’ happen.
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Now the clincher: When I saw your link, I realized we know each other from Islamorada and the Florida Keys Concert Association. I had no idea you did this work, but due to whatever forces are at play out there, it’s now come full circle. Welcome to the family, John.''
~ Marcia
The family hiStory...
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Morris Brower & Rae Elkin
Morris Brower was A Jewish piano tuner from Europe, who worked for a French concert pianist Rae Elkin, fell in love and married her. They moved to NY and had three children: Herman, Buddy, and Dave. Tragically, Rae passed away during childbirth with their fourth child, whose fate is unknown.
the family history...
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Buddy & Marie
Buddy, with perfect pitch, accompanied his father Morris on tunings, ensuring the pitch was perfect. Buddy grew up to be a professional pianist, performing in the Catskills, Asbury Park (Wonder Bar), and other venues, playing with musicians like Tony Argo, Vinnie Bell, and Lou Mecca. Vinnie Bell, a close friend and studio musician, pioneered the wah-wah pedal, though it was stolen before it could be patented. Vinnie performed with many famous artists.
Buddy met his wife, Marie, at the Monte Carlo Pool in Asbury Park, where they fell in love, married, and had four children: John, Frank, Robert, and Missy. Vinnie Bell became John Brower’s godfather, and John's middle name, Vincent, was given in his honor.
Buddy served in the war as a pianist/musician during the soldiers' rest and relaxation periods in Africa. When he returned home, he became part of several music groups and frequently played down the shore. Buddy was also a music teacher and taught piano and guitar. Buddy's brothers, Herman and Dave, were also musicians. Herman was an amazing concert pianist.
the family history...
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Vinnie Bell
Mr. Music
Vinnie Bell, a close friend and studio musician, pioneered the wah-wah pedal, though it was stolen before it could be patented. Vinnie performed with many famous artists.
He went on to invent things like the water guitar and sound effects, which he recorded privately in the studio. Very creative, he co-owned a company called Danelectro in Neptune, NJ, which manufactured specialty guitars and custom builds under Vinnie Bell's name. The company was located right across the train tracks from Bradley Beach, NJ, where John grew up.
The Story...
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John & Mary Bianchi
John Bianchi (Marie Brower’s dad) and Mary Pegano Bianchi (Ralph Pegano’s daughter) had deep family ties to Asbury Park, where they once owned the Pontiac Hotel, a luncheonette, and an ice cream / soda fountain and Bianchi's pizza parlor.
Mary also owned the house on Evergreen, where Cher and John were married.
John and Cher Brower lived briefly in the back house on the property, working in the The Piano Shoppe on Main street, Bradley Beach, NJ, spending time at the pool, walking on Bradley beach, and enjoying pizza at Vic's, where John proposed to Cher.
John Bianchi, was an incredibly skilled handyman. In every house they bought, he built and renovated, including adding a studio for Buddy to teach piano and guitar in Wanamassa, NJ He was also talented in carpentry, construction, and fireplace building. Marie, growing up helping her dad, loved household projects like wallpapering and minor repairs.
These skills—along with music, piano repairs, and rebuilding—were passed down through the generations, deeply rooted in both sides of John’s family.
the family history...
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Ralph Pagano
Ralph, originally from Naples, Italy, came to the U.S. with his wife Connie, carrying just a dime. They settled in the "Down Neck" area of Newark, NJ, where Ralph worked in a hardware store and was very skilled with tools. Over time, he bought the store, which had an apartment above it, and rented out the space.
Marie and Buddy even lived there when they first married.
Ralph (aka Papa Pagano) eventually became a successful real estate investor, buying and selling properties. The family also spent summers on Lake Avenue in Asbury Park a few blocks away from Convention Hall, renting large three-story houses with beautiful porches near the lake where the whole family vacationed together.
John Bianchi (Marie Brower’s dad) and Mary Pegano Bianchi (Ralph Pegano’s daughter) had deep family ties to Asbury Park, where they once owned the Pontiac Hotel, a luncheonette, and an ice cream / soda fountain and Bianchi's pizza parlor.
Marie Bianchi Brower and her sister Connie Bianchi (John Browers mom and aunt) worked at the pizza parlor as waitresses there.
the family history...
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Buddy, Herman & Dave Brower
Herman and Dave, Buddy's two brothers were also musicians, and the three of them would play together whenever they had the chance. Herman was a concert pianist, and John would service Herman’s piano, including tuning and action work.
Dave was also a great musician as well.
The family history...
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Frank Brower
John Brower and his brother Frank were encouraged by their dad Buddy to train at Tusting Piano Co. in Asbury Park, owned by Buddy’s friend Frank Zavalia.
They trained alongside Bryan Henry and others and they soon opened The Piano Shoppe at 716 Main Street in Bradley Beach.
Frank played bass and saxophone
John and Frank collaborated on a lot of piano projects and Frank was an excellent piano tuner.
Pictured above: Frank & His father Buddy restringing and rebuilding a grand piano in the back yard at 710 Evergreen Ave, Bradley Beach NJ before the Piano Shoppe was opened.
the family history...
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John & Cher Brower's Story
John and Cher Met
John and Cher’s journey began when Cher, in search of a job, walked into an art store where John worked. His passion for pianos and welcoming nature immediately drew her in. What started as a professional connection soon blossomed into a deep personal relationship, one that would later reveal itself as part of a greater plan guided by God.
John’s History and Skill Sets
John was a focused and ambitious young man. He graduated early from Ocean Township High School in New Jersey and began working as an apprentice piano tuner and technician at Tusting Piano Co. in Asbury Park, NJ. There, he trained under Frank Zavalia alongside his brother Frank, eventually honing his skills to become a master tuner and technician. The brothers opened The Piano Shoppe in Bradley Beach, offering piano sales, tuning, and repair and rebuilding services.
John was also an accomplished drummer, writing beats and choreographing routines for his high school drum corps. The group won awards and performed in major events such as the Macy’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, showcasing John’s creativity and leadership.
Story continues....
The family hiStory...
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John & Cher's Story Continues...
John’s Impression of Cher and Her Love for Pianos
On their first date, John was impressed by Cher’s curiosity and passion for pianos. He gave her several piano repair tasks, which she completed with ease and enthusiasm. This shared interest in craftsmanship marked the beginning of a partnership that would shape both their personal and professional lives.
Cher’s Story and Family Background
Cher grew up in a "repair, not replace" family, frequently helping her father with household, car, and bicycle repairs for their large family. Her engineer uncle nurtured her natural interest in craftsmanship and the arts, mentoring her in a variety of skills, including:
- Mixed Media & Textiles
- Pottery & Woodworking
- Woodcarving & Leather-working
- Stained Glass & Copper Enamel
- Scrimshaw & Photography
- Seamstress & Pattern Making
Cher’s love for puzzles and design also extended to piano and guitar repair. Although she was unable to have a piano at home growing up , she found ways to take lessons and developed a strong connection to music. She also became interested in guitar, purchasing her own Yamaha acoustic with her first paycheck after outgrowing her first instrument. This passion for music and repair has remained a key part of her life.
Chers story continues...
The family hiStory...
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John & Cher's Story Continues...
Cher’s Professional Training and Skill Sets
Cher has been professionally trained alongside John for over 37 years, making her an expert in piano tuning, repair, and guitar maintenance. Her skills include:
- Piano Tuning & Repair: Cher is highly skilled in tuning pianos and performing a variety of repairs, including action repairs, key top replacements, and ivory restoration.
- Ivory Repair & Key Top Replacement: Cher specializes in delicate ivory repair and key top replacements, restoring pianos to their full aesthetic and functional beauty.
- Action Repair: Cher has extensive experience in action regulation and repair, ensuring a smooth, responsive touch for every piano she works on.
- Guitar Repair & Maintenance: In addition to piano work, Cher has developed expertise in guitar repair and maintenance, ensuring that every instrument performs at its best.
Cher's diverse background, her 37 years of training alongside John, and her passion for precision make her a well-rounded and exceptional technician. Her attention to detail and commitment to quality ensure that every instrument she works on—whether a piano or guitar—is treated with the utmost care and skill.
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Gallery Through The Years!
In Honor of John, Buddy, Morris & Frank Brower
Grateful to have served Florida & NJ for over 45 years, and honored to continue with John’s wife, Cher, and daughter, Triana.
Ready to restore, repair, or tune your piano? Let's preserve its legacy for future generations of music lovers.
We look forward to being part of your piano’s story!
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