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Please enjoy some pictures of our latest production builds.
This is tonight's sunset at Pier Village in Long Branch from our balcony. An incredible site with the surfers in the background and everyone enjoying the beautiful Jersey shore.
Today was a special day for both my daughter and I because we were invited to help celebrate the continued life's work of a great man, Al Syvertsen. Al is a pastor at Beacon Church of Galloway, NJ, a congregation he began 30 years ago in a garage in that same town.
I have been blessed to have two men in my life who for many years have been an inspirational example of what a man of character should be, one of those men a Christian, my dad, Rudy Mannarino, and the other an orthodox Jew, my rabbi, Elli Zomick. Today I have a third, Al Syvertsen. He has many wonderful qualities, however, his consistent devotion to his family, community, church and God is, for me, the most outstanding. He manages this while being humble and delicately strong. Al sets a defined standard for all men to aspire.
This is a video of the men in the church singing in his honor. The second is of his daughters sharing memories.
Several months ago I was asked to create and produce an audio design for the Luciano Pavarotti Museum Exhibit, which currently is in residence in Verona, Italy. I chose to use all K-array loudspeakers and amplifiers for several reasons but most importantly for my ability to design a seamless sound that did not sonically interfere with other parts of the exhibit. There were a total of 5 sound systems. The client was thrilled with my work and I was too.
This past October, K-array held its global meeting of distributors in Florence, Italy. Sennheiser US, who is the company that distributes K-array products to my company, received this award at that meeting on my behalf.
I have received accolades before, some more meaningful to me than others, but for all, I am grateful. This award is more personal, similarly to when my (class) orchestra would honor me at Christmas by collecting dollars (painfully, I'm sure) and presenting a gift that was so sincere to them and so exciting for them to give. I value that sincerity; Alex, Francesco, Andrea and all the staff at K-array, Firenze, have always welcomed me as family and respect me as a colleague. Because of their humble passion and sincere belief in what they do, it makes this award that much more meaningful. Thank you!
Monday night was the annual Fall Gala and this year's honoree was Mayor Mike Bloomberg. The production star of the night, however, was by popular demand, K-array loudspeakers. A difficult environment and an additional two tiers of extra seating created a tense scenario for all, however, all were very pleased with my design and choice to use 10- KR102's and 16 Anacondas. It was a robust sound to say the least, but intimate as well. Thank you to the boys from Firenze!!!
What a fabulous day talking to people about my photography and raising money for the foundation. I'm so excited for today. Hope to see you there.
Please join me with my latest Image Gallery in Pier Village, NJ this weekend to enjoy great art, music & food while raising money and awareness for breast cancer research. Don't forget the beautiful ocean!
This week I had the privilege to design audio for Martha Stewart. I have been working on this event design for a few months now and with Martha Stewart for a couple of years. Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall is a unique challenge, truthfully I'm not sure If I would want to produce an event there knowing what I know about its acoustical challenges, but for Martha I needed to do much better than if it was my show. I was made fully aware of her expectation.
The rehearsal just ended, the show about to begin and the audio applauded by all. I am a true fan of Martha, even though I have not watched her on TV very much. I am an admirer of her ability, talent and no-nonsense way she wants the best. Most importantly, it is not just the best for her own financial gain, but how she truly cares, and cares when she's not in the spotlight. Brava! And thank you for allowing me to be a part of your American Made campaign. Break a leg!
I had preplanned attending a workshop a year ago for last week not realizing of course what the intensity of the company calendar would look like. Well, we were blessed and we were busy. As an owner I would like to think that the company exists because of my hard work and resume, to some degree it does, but I am truly grateful for my entire staff who not only represent my company's overall objectives but also carry themselves with the added objectives of a Christian owner. It's not easy to just do, but it's harder to do it with a degree of character, sincerity and humility. Thank you to all for your hard work last week. Here are some pics to prove it and please become a fan of our facebook page.
Bravo !
I'll never forget the day, many years ago, when the kitchen phone rang and a person said in a british accent "It's John Williams from London England, is Lou there?" Thinking it was a joke, but by his third introduction and commitment to convince me, I realized it was truly him. If you don't recall, John Williams is a celebrated classical guitarist and the most influential performer and teacher since Segovia. John and I spoke for a half hour talking about music and sound until he asked me to do the audio for his NY concerts. That week was wonderful. Similar to the time I was first asked to mix the New York Philharmonic or Paul McCartney, and now my favorite cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The names mentioned are the people who individually changed my life as a teacher, performer and designer with their talent, professional example and character. I have been given such gifts. I believe people don't really deserve anything, however we all have a will to choose how we will approach each day and the chance to make it worth something, not just to ourselves but to others. It's not by chance or by luck but by Providence. So, when Yo-Yo hugged me with his cello in one hand standing center stage in Avery Fisher Hall, thanking me for the great sound and recognizing all the hard work .......
I can hardly explain the joy and pride I felt last night at the close of the NY Philharmonic's Film Week. The orchestra was amazing!! I have been their resident sound engineer for 6 years, serving also as designer and equipment provider. This week I added a 5.1 audio surround system to reproduce the film audio while mixing in 2 choirs to the audio landscape. What a feeling it is to be there with the orchestra rehearsing, then mixing/blending audio for the show while located in the middle of the audience. I feel the audience's reactions, hear their breath, experience their wonder as they listen in awe to my favorite band, all while I'm involved creatively with every sound. They (production team) think I have a hard job, almost a thankless job....if they only knew the personal reward given the criteria. What an honor and a blessing to have a chance. Please read this review:
This week I am designing and installing a 5:1 audio system for the NY Philharmonic's film series. Yesterday we did the load in and hung all the speakers. The stage hands at Avery Fisher Hall are consistently effective while being courteous and professional. Yesterday there was a stagehand named Keith, who throughout the day was inspiring to me and set an example for my son, Rudy, who was also on the gig. Keith is a veteran with a tremendous amount of experience who never once "read his resume," but worked with a polished professionalism, humility and talent. He taught me so many things just watching him. When we were all done I complimented him, but others quickly said, "It's his job. He's supposed to do that." My response was, "Well, he did it in a way that will change the way I work in the future." Thanks Keith, you're a class act.
It's a pleasant thing to hear, however, I'm not always sure they really understand why I believe it, so I thought I would give an example. Today I was working in the MMA (Met Museum of Art), a typical day for my company, but not anything actually typical. I am blessed to work in the most beautiful, inspiring of places, with the most talented and empowered people. I have to mention that my tools of the trade helped make this day so much fun. I used K-array loudspeakers and a Sennheiser conference system to complete the task. The outstanding part for me was that the museum doesn't ordinarily have board meetings in the 5th avenue museum and they trusted me to "make good wine," which really means "we have confidence that you will make it work." Well you often hear "you can't make good wine without good grapes," but check out my grapes: Bronwyn Keenan (director of Special Events), Daniel Baruch (L&M master A1), and K-array and Sennheiser equipment (the best of the best). All of this encircled by European artist paintings in this special gallery. It worked beautifully.
Well I don't ever want to take for granted one day that God gave me, and the chance to earn my next, so today was quite wonderful. Oh, I nearly forgot to mention that later I had a meeting with the NY Philharmonic's Alex Johnston (manager) and IATSE crew chief (who inspires me) Rich Norton to discuss my new "you are always willing to risk your career" design to implement 45' of K-array Anaconda loudspeakers for the NYP film series.
This year's annual trip to Beaches was as wonderful as always. The hotel never seems to disappoint, while the kids are always finding new ways to get the most out of it. One highlight this year was my son, Louis. He runs the social scene for most of the teenagers. I should say he is a lot fun and everybody really loves him. The parents who come with us are individually special in each of my kids' lives and I am forever grateful for their love and example. So here are some pics to show what a great place, with a 5-star beach and some 5-star people.
It's always a very exciting thing to travel with a purpose. K-array, an audio manufacturer in Tuscany invited me once again to discuss future design and developments. Flying into Paris while staying a few days there before the flight to Florence was an added benefit. Andrea, Alessandro and the crew treated us like royalty. Spending time cooking amazing food, taking us to local restaurants in outer villages and loving the history of Florence while telling tales.
I had the opportunity to be interviewed and filmed for future publication while listening to the newest product line that clearly pleased me and surely will please the US market. Bravo! and Grazie mille'
