Garry Margolis

Garry Margolis was a professional in the audio industry, a Macintosh computer expert, an audio historian, an educator, a gifted violinist, an author, a talented avid photographer, and a loving father, grandfather, and partner.

Born in Toronto, Canada, Garry moved to Los Angeles with his parents Elly T. and Alice (Chassie) Margolis when he was four. Following graduation from Fairfax High School, he studied music at UCLA, where he also taught film sound and was a recording engineer for UCLA’s film and ethnomusicology departments and for the AMAN Folk Dance Ensemble. His deep knowledge of music was diverse, transcending the boundaries of the Western canon to include Asian, Middle-Eastern, and Eastern-European genres. One of the joys of his musical pursuits was studying gamelan in Bali.

Garry was an accomplished violinist who played with the Young Musicians Foundation Orchestra, Santa Barbara’s Music Academy of the West, and the Aspen Music Festival. His love of classical music led him to working as an announcer for a classical music station, KFMU, in the Farmer’s Market as well as a comedy-oriented music program, “Eine Grosse Nachtmusik” for station KPFK.

Garry was particularly well-known in the professional audio community having spent decades of his life working with the Audio Engineering Society, where over the years, he served as Section Officer, Governor, Treasurer and President. In 2012, Garry was presented with the coveted AES Fellowship Award; seven years later, in 2019, he was recognized with the AES Distinguished Service Medal Award.

Garry had a long and remarkable career in the audio and electronics industry. He was hired by the James B Lansing Professional Division (JBL) in 1974 as an Applications Engineer for Pro Products, and rose to Sales Manager, Pro Products for the International Group. He left JBL in 1981 to become Director of Sales for UREI. In 1983, when UREI was acquired by JBL’s parent company Harman, Garry returned to JBL International, where he was Vice President, Marketing for Professional Products, International. He traveled abroad frequently to consult on acoustic installations in recording studios and concert halls. He held this position until 1990, when he left to establish his own consulting firm.

Using his expertise in the founding of his own company, Garry provided Macintosh computer consulting along with audio marketing expertise. Garry was particularly loved by his computer consulting clients for his patience and skill. As a consultant, Garry was the North American Marketing Director of Netherlands-based Acoustic Control Systems, as well as an eight-year stint (1995-2003) as a Technology Liaison Director on technical and marketing issues regarding the launch of both DVD-Video and Super Audio CD for Philips Electronics. He applied his expertise in fields such as audio for cinema, acoustics, psychoacoustics, hearing and architectural acoustics.

Known to many in the Jewish community by his Yiddish name (Gershon or Gersh, for short), Garry was a strong proponent of Yiddish culture, his first spoken language. His family’s tradition of Yiddish storytelling ran through him and helped make him a beloved cultural guide to his family. To family and friends, he never failed to share his warmth – at a dinner table or taking in art, music, and theater together with those he loved. He was never too tired for company and those who knew him loved his depth and carng.

Garry’s everlasting gift to all the communities he touched was his love of teaching and mentoring – which extended to people of all ages. He taught computer skills and digital photography through several adult education programs. He enjoyed sharing his experiences and knowledge to benefit others. He was a ham radio operator who volunteered doing auxiliary communications work for the Los Angeles Fire Department, and was instrumental in the creation of the beloved and well-used Lansing Heritage website ( www.audioheritage.org ) — a portal focused on preserving audio history, particularly that of Altec-Lansing and JBL products.

Garry was well known to his colleagues in the Audio Engineering Society (AES) for mentoring students and beginning professionals.  Following Garry’s tradition and love of mentoring, a memorial scholarship has been established in Garry’s honor by the AES.

To send contributions by check, please make the check to:

Audio Engineering Society Educational Foundation

and write Garry Margolis Scholarship in the Memo line

please mail to:

Jim Anderson, President

AES Educational Foundation

12 Garfield Place,

Brooklyn, NY 11215

Garry is survived by his son Benjamin Margolis, his daughter-in-law Jenny Torino, and his granddaughter Devin; his fiancé/partner Liane Jennifer Enkelis; his sister Zora Margolis-Alderfer and his brother-in-law Jonathan Alderfer; and his former wife Jean Henigson.