Industry Vet Carol Jones Zadel Passes Away

Carol Jones Zadel, who introduced new organs and keyboard products to music dealers for more than 40 years, passed away on March 6 in Rancho Mirage, California. She was 72.

Zadel served as an advocate for music education. According to a statement from her family, it was her technical abilities and warm, down-to-earth personality that made her among the most requested product artists in the organ industry. She was also a pioneer for women in the music products industry.

In 1972, she was hired as a product specialist for the Conn Organ Corporation, where she performed concerts, demonstrations and product training sessions for retailers across the country. While working at the Conn Organ Corporation, she met the company’s director of marketing, Robert F. Zadel, and they married in 1977. They quickly became known throughout the music products industry for their passion and devotion to music education.

Later in her career, Zadel worked with Yamaha International, Lowrey Organs, Kimball International, Gulbransen, Technics Musical Instruments/Panasonic Corp., Organ Exchange, Suzuki Digital and Italy’s Generalmusic.

Additionally, Zadel recorded some nine albums and several music videos featuring her organ performances — most notably one showcasing the Conn 653 organ, which was arranged and produced by the famous George Wright.