Pipe Organ Database

From the OHS PC Database, Builders Listing Editor, updated April 9, 2017 -

Gilbert Adams (1932-2015) began his career in 1958 with Aeolian-Skinner of Boston as an apprentice. By 1963, he was an installer, and voicer. He left Skinner and became partner with Anthony Bufano in Adams-Bufano Organ Co. of New York City, New York, 1963-1965. He established his own firm in New York City, thereafter; it was during this period that he built the large mechanical action organ for St. Thomas Episcopal Church of New York City. This was the first attempt by an American builder to create an organ specifically for playing the French Classical literature.

Adams was briefly with the Reuter Organ Co. of Lawrence, Kansas, around 1986. He relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, circa 1987; and established John Street Organ Co. of Monroe, North Carolina, by 1992. He was active under own name in Monroe until at least 1999 when he completed tonal finishing of the revised Tellers organ in St. Luke's Cathedral, Orlando, Florida. Gilbert Adams is believed to have died on an unknown date, ca. 2015.

Sources:

• David H. Fox, A Guide to North American Organbuilders (Organ Historical Society, Richmond, Va., 1997), 50.
• Orpha Ochse, The History of the Organ in the United States (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1975), 417, 418.
• Brochure, "The Restoration of the Cathedral Organ" (Cathedral Church of St. Luke (Episcopal), Orlando, Fla., 1999)
• William van Pelt.

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From the OHS PC Database, derived from A Guide to North American Organbuilders, by David H. Fox (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1997). -

Born October 10, 1932 in Norwich, Connecticut; with Aeolian-Skinner, 1958–1963, apprentice, installer, voicer; partner in Adams-Bufano Organ Co. of New York City, New York, 1963-1965; own firm in New York City, thereafter; briefly with Reuter Organ Co. of Lawrence, Kansas, c. 1986; relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, c. 1987; established John Street Organ Co. of Monroe, North Carolina, by 1992; active under his own name in Monroe, 1993; active 1997.

Staff: Lawrence Trupiano (while in New York).

Sources:

• Uwe Pape, The Tracker Organ Revival in America, 1978. 409.
• Elizabeth Towne Schmitt
• The Tracker 10:2, (Spring, 1966), 2.
• The American Organist August 1992, 56.
• The American Organist; December 1993, 47.
• William Van Pelt
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