A Tribute to Sam Berd, “Piano Tuner to the Stars” – 1939-2019

The Hit Factory, 1981.  I am newly hired as a receptionist.  Yoko Ono is in one room recording Season of Glass; members from Blondie and The Clash cross paths and intermingle with one another in a conspiracy of musicians in front of my desk.  I try not to let the awe show on my face.

And now a colorful creature is entering the door. He wears a bright red jacket, an electric blue cap and sports a flashy multicolored striped, long hanging scarf curled around his neck. He is not empty handed but brings a box of pastries and candies for the staff. He is effusive and merry and is met with hearty greetings. The awe shows on my face.

A lover of pianos: Sam Berd

This was my first encounter with Sam Berd and I was soon to discover what a unique and special individual he was.

Few of us give much thought to piano tuning; I certainly hadn’t. It is behind the scenes, so to say.  It is in the background. But on reflection, one understands what an integral part it is of any pianist’s output. As the pianist must love the instrument, so must the tuner. Sam truly loved the pianos he tuned.

Having left his family and home in Casablanca at the tender age of twelve, (imagine! twelve), Sam made his way to Paris in hopes of a musician’s career.  After some time he encountered a piano tuner and technician.

In Sam, the tuner found a natural talent for the ability to finely hear music.  From him, Sam learned the craft of tuning. As the art of tuning changed, he maintained pride that he never used technology in his work but did it the time-honored, old fashioned way:  by ear and hand. What few people know is that Sam knew so much about the piano that in addition to tuning and servicing them, he could actually build one.

In the early sixties, Sam moved to New York City where his expertise and personality led to a wide roster of loyal clients from Liberace to Janis Joplin, John Lennon, Peter Duchin, Steely Dan and Tony Bennett to name a few.  He tuned and serviced for television networks and concert halls; for recording studios and Fifth Avenue socialites.

Probably anyone who ever dealt with Sam was mystified as to when the man ever slept.  He would be in for an emergency call in Studio A at two in the morning and back to prepare for a session in Studio C at eight in the morning…only to show up again at two in the afternoon for Studio B.  From there he would go to Radio City Music Hall or Saturday Night Live; always some demanding venue. He was diligent and precise in his tunings, taking his time at getting every note in perfect tune.

Talent and expertise were not the only attributes that secured Sam’s legend in New York’s music arena but also his personality. He always made it a point to spend time talking with…I was about to say clients, but in truth, I believe Sam considered them friends, and that is how he treated them: as a friend.  Since Sam’s death on New Years Day, I have learned how much that meant to so many and how well loved he was.

In his later years, Sam took to wearing mostly black; no more colors. I will never know why. In the last few months, he had developed a fondness for the song , “Those Were the Days.” Perhaps that was it.  Perhaps he was in mourning for those days when the studios were thriving and the music scene had more vibrancy, a sense of camaraderie and more social contact; a time before technology isolated artists?  Now, in retrospect, I look back and wonder why I never asked.

Whatever Sam’s reasons were for wearing black the bright colors of his personality never faded.

The last time I saw Sam was on the Saturday before New Year’s. As I pulled my car away from his drive in front of Lincoln Towers we grinned and shouted out to each other “See you next year!”

• Monica Tidwell

Sam Berd lived from October 26, 1939 to January 1, 2019. In NYC, a tribute will to his unique personality, his friendship and the legend he became in the New York music scene.

When and Where:

April 14th 2019   4 P.M. -7 P.M.
Rockwood Music Hall 
192  Allen Street – Stage 2 Entrance

Steve Ross, renowned piano player and cabaret artist, (and client of Sam), will be at the piano. All are invited to join in for a festive celebration and tribute.

Please RSVP to Monica Tidwell, monicatidwell@me.com

Please note: When you buy products through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission.