The Avedis Zildjian Company is celebrating its 390th anniversary this year. The Zildjian Company is the oldest music company in the world and the oldest family business in America. The company was founded in 1623 by Avedis Zildjian, an alchemist who made cymbals during the Ottoman Era at the Topaki Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. In addition to making cymbals for the sultan’s janissary band, he established his own cymbal-making business. In 1929, the company was relocated to the U.S. by Avedis Zildjian III. Today, the company is managed by the 14th generation of Zildjians.
In honor of its anniversary, the Zildjian Company had a special display at the NAMM show that celebrated some of the greatest recordings of all time, featuring Zildjian cymbals played by generations of legendary artists and bands. The list includes “Kind Of Blue,” Miles Davis and Jimmy Cobb, 1959; “Pet Sounds,” The Beach Boys and Hal Blaine/Earl Palmer, 1966; “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” The Beatles with Ringo Starr, 1967; “Moondance” by Van Morrison with Gary Mallaber, 1970; and others, including Jimi Hendrix, Chicago and Aerosmith.
In addition to this special anniversary display, Zildjian plans to announce social media, Web and trade contests and promotions throughout the year.