John Caruso Sr. 1912 - 1999

 Caruso Music was founded in 1929 by a 17 year old aspiring musician named John Caruso. John picked up an accordion in his hometown of Heilwood, PA and became fascinated by the possibilities. He quickly found out he had a natural talent for music making. Those were difficult times, the beginning of the great depression. John's neighbors asked him to teach their kids how to play; they didn't want their children to suffer the same hardships they were going through. Music was a child's ticket out of a lifetime of almost certain drudgery. He gave into their constant request and began instructing the local kids on the accordion. It wasn't uncommon for parents to pay him with their government subsidy checks ( today's welfare ).

Heilwood was coal country. The death of John's uncle in what were daily mine accidents was the wake up for his mother. She didn't want  her sons ending up working the same dangerous hand to mouth job as her generation had. They packed up and moved to NYC. John opened what would then become one of New York's largest music schools, with over 1000 accordion students. The success was fulfilling but he was unsure about New York.

It was 2:30 am on a hot summer night in Flushing Queens. John was trying to cool his crying son down by pushing his carriage back and forth in front of their apartment. It was at that moment he realized city life wasn't for him. In the morning he loaded the family into the car and drove east until it turned into country. Their first stop of the day became their new home, Bozrah, Connecticut.

John began teaching accordion door to door and then opened a small teaching studio in the neighboring town of Norwich. That city served him well but the growth of the US Navy in New London had much more promise. In 1963 New London became the new home of Caruso Music. Not long after opening at 25 Main St a bakery fire next door forced the store to relocate to 20 Bank St. John continued running the family business at that location until his retirement in 1978. His two youngest sons, Larry and Richard took over after six years under his guidance. In 1995 Caruso Music purchased it's newest location at 94 State St.

Caruso's continues to prosper at their new 22,000 sq ft building. It's also home to Caruso School of Music and Caruso Audio Video Install. It's their experience and dedication to customer service that earns your trust. Many of the staff have been there for over 15 years. The customers are loyal because the staff is and it shows. Their product specialists do everything possible to be certain you're making the right purchase. Trust and honesty are part of this family owned and operated business. There's always a Caruso there instilling and protecting the high moral values that John insisted were the core of their success.

Caruso Music respects your time, it's a precious commodity these days. When you visit, call or email us, you'll quickly find out that they're happy to share our 78 + years of business experience with you.

Many people find it refreshing to find out that a business like Caruso Music still exist in this day and age. The Caruso's are not so amazed by the businesses longevity. They see it as a simple formula. Sincerely care about your customers and always be honest. What does amaze them is how so many places have lost sight of these easy to follow yet important values.


One of  John's 32 music books
 John wrote and arranged over 30 music books, many still in print. He also recorded numerous records, one staying at number 1 on The Hit Parade for three weeks straight


Sound Retailer
 Caruso Music has been awarded Keyboard dealer of the year 7 times in a row. They were also awarded Software dealer of the Year, most effective Retailer of the Year and best music school of the year
 



 


Larry Caruso
owner

 

Richard Caruso
owner

 


 

Store hours
M-F 10 am to 6pm
Sat 10 am to 3 to 4 pm
Sundays closed
 

94 State St
New London, CT 06320
860-442-9600
 

 

Pianos Guitars Audio Percussion

 

  

 
A large shipment of Yamaha and Kawai Grand and upright pianos has
 just arrived

  
 
We have a full selection of new and pre-owned grand and upright  pianos. We also carry the latest models of player pianos, portables and home digital pianos. We've got what you want

Shopping for a piano at Caruso Music is fun. It doesn't matter whether you're local or long distances, you'll always receive our world famous pricing and service.

We ship worldwide. Why buy a piano from Caruso Music? Simple, selection, price and trust. We have happy customers in all 50 states and over 37 countries. Don't be limited to the selection in your immediate area. Our fast and affordable delivery makes us your local dealer and we make piano shopping fun. Get your piano from people who know pianos. There are probably Caruso Music customers right in your own town.

We're direct importers of the world's finest and most desired pianos.  Read about our last visit to Japan. Our buying power allows us to offer you pianos at up to 50% below other stores or online dealers. We are the fabled middleman except we didn't get cut out, the dealers did. We sell at direct import pricing to the general public.

Our 78 years in business combined with our rural location keeps our cost down. Low overhead translates into savings for you.

We've been voted Keyboard Dealer of the Year by Music and Sound Retailer seven years in a row. We take great pride in that acknowledgment. Although we are best known for our low prices, we believe it's the personal service our customers receive that truly makes Caruso Music famous.

We specializes in quality, pre-owned pianos. We have a wonderful relationship with the business we import our factory refurbished pianos from. We're their largest customer. Our pianos are hand selected, assuring us well maintained instruments still at the top of their performance level. You'll really save when you buy a certified  pre-owned piano from Caruso Music. We make sure you get the most for your money

Our company has been family owned and operated since 1929. You'll get honest, friendly help along with a great selection of name brand pianos. Don't worry, you'll always get our world famous Caruso Music service and prices. We also maintain a new piano inventory from some of the finer names in the business but our specialty is pre-owned pianos from makers like Yamaha, Kawai, Steinway, Baldwin, Mason Hamlin and others. Our digital piano selection is equally impressive. Roland, Yamaha and Casio are all represented. 

Call now, it's free. 800-264-6614. If it's after hours tell us what you're looking for via email. We've got the piano and price you've been looking for. You know we welcome your visit to our piano showrooms. Bring the kids, they'll have fun too.

Whether your local or long distance we'll help you find the perfect piano for your home, business, school or house of worship.  We provide a no-pressure atmosphere allowing you to make a decision in comfort.  No appointment is needed, just stop in during store hours and we'll go from there

 

Yamaha and Kawai factory refurbished like upright pianos

Yamaha, Kawai, Steinway, Baldwin and more.
 



A great selection of pre-owned Yamaha and Kawai pianos
 

  


 Yamaha U series and the Kawai K series pianos
 



Kawai Grands factory refurbished pianos



Yamaha and Kawai Semi-Concert Grands

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Bringing back the finest pianos from Japan

      

 

Larry Caruso

I was fortunate enough to have spent half a month in Japan. I was there for answers to questions I had about  new and used Japanese pianos. What I was hearing in the US wasn't making sense. I wanted a better understanding of the piano collection and rebuilding industry in Japan. Also on the agenda was a visit to Kawai Piano and Yamaha Musical world headquarters in Hamamatsu City.

The finest pianos in the world are made in Japan

My days were spent at piano rebuilding and collection facilities as well as touring the major piano makers of Japan. All of the piano refurbishment is done with the utmost care; attention to detail is unrivaled on a worldwide scale. It's not done until it's perfect. The term " good enough " is not something you hear there. The bar in Japan is set right at the top.

Climate

I learned that Japan's climate is identical to that of North America. It ranges from extremely dry to horribly humid. Most days are pleasant but depending on where you are it could snow or rain. I've learned that every home, even the most modest, has central heat and air conditioning.  I now know where the pre-owned pianos come from, how they were treated and how they're collected. I know what companies just do a clean and buff job and which ones do a complete refurbish/rebuild.

Piano seasoning

I know the truth about seasoning ( there is no such thing ). They are all made the same. There's no such thing as a gray market piano. When I told an executive from the largest piano maker in Japan about  seasoned for destination he actually laughed out loud. " Why would it be made different? The climate is the same here as North America ".

Now we know

My trip there reinforced my belief that the finest pianos in the world are made in Japan and located there. The best of the best are not exported out of the country when they are new. Interesting note: When you want to buy a new piano in Japan you go directly to the factory or company owned stores. You can play dozens of them in specially designed listening rooms. You get to pick the best sounding one and have it delivered to your home. You see, in Japan customers can buy directly from the piano makers. This is how the finest ones end up staying in Japan. Those are the piano I buy. I import those privately owned instruments. This is why I believe we offer the cream of the crop when it comes to pre-owned Yamaha and Kawai pianos. 

Call us before you buy a piano. There's a lot of things you should know before you make the investment. We look forward to sharing that information with you.


Spotless subways


Snow in Tokyo


 

  


Containers ready for shipment

  


103 year old Yamaha Grand

Yamaha Musical Ginza district Tokyo


Piano collecting before refurbishing

Reassembly after cleaning rail pins. All parts are then checked and adjusted

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Caruso Music Store
Musical Instrument and Pro Audio Specialist

 
Guitars                           back to top
 

When you enter Caruso Music you'll be greeted by a handsome selection of fine electric guitars, basses and amps.
From there you'll see a glass door leading into our acoustic guitar room. It is well appointed with all the major brands represented

The atmosphere here is relaxed. You're encouraged to take the guitars off the wall and enjoy them. If you would like help, we're happy to assist. If you just want to try some out, then be our guest.

On top of the selection of guitars we also have electric and bass guitar amps as well as  processors, preamps, cabinets and other stringed instrument goodies

Please give us a call or visit. We'll respect your time and help you make the right decisions. You'll also save money at Caruso Music. Who could ask for more?


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Belvedere
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Robin
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Airline

 














 

 

 

 



 

Percussion                         back to top

NEWS: DON'T GET CLERKED AROUND

Our Drum and Percussion Department is one of the first areas you will see when you walk in the front door of Caruso Music. 
We carry a full selection of drum kits, accessories, cymbals, percussion, thrones and more.  


We know you're interested in getting our
Best Deal Quote Now

The drum and percussion staff will help you to pick out the appropriate instruments for your needs.  And because we carry a wide range of kits and accessories, we have a product for any price point.

With lines like Latin Percussion, Mapex, Drum Workshop, Zildjian, Yamaha, Remo and more making your selection at Caruso Music couldn't be easier.  


Caruso Music was nominated Acoustic Drum Dealer of the Year
  
 



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Commercial Audio Video          back to top

Caruso Music AV has been designing, installing and servicing sound and video systems for schools, houses of worship, athletic fields and places of business for over 40 years. The nature of an installed sound system requires that we work closely with the customer to determine the ideal set-up for their needs.

We emphasize simplicity and affordability
without sacrificing audio performance. 

 Caruso Music AV is the right choice. Give us a call or email today. One of our specialist will go over your needs, and supply you with a free estimate. 

Recent Projects Include: 



Mohegan Sunburst Summer Shack - A complete JBL sound system including paging and music playback for this beautiful 14,000 sq ft restaurant.








Simmons Rock College Athletic Complex - A complete sound system for the brand new 85,000 sq ft athletic center.
 

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US Sub base Nautilus Museum - A complete sound system for sue in the new museum, submarine and out door common areas. The systems use includes security







St Mary's Church Groton - A complete new sound system to fully cover this large and unique building. Included were choir mics that were suspended from the nearly 50 foot ceiling 


 


Mystic Aquarium - New sound for all of the outdoor exhibits. This work included wire runs of up to 2000 ft in length
 



Colchester Federated Church - A entirely new sound system used for spoken word as well as recording and music playback

 


New London City Council Hall - A hands free automated conferencing system used in the council chambers


Hughie's on Bank - A newly designed two zone sound system and installed used for music playback and paging









Integrated Day School - A complete sound and stage lighting system used in the newly renovated auditorium of this very interesting charter school

 





Octagon Restaurant - Redesign of the music playback system for the multiple dining rooms at this restaurant located in the brand new Mystic Marriott







Connecticut College Pool -All new amplification of the existing sound system to cover both the pool and spectator areas paging 




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Hundreds More - We will be happy to supply you with business referrals!

Caruso Music AV has acted as a subcontractor on hundreds of distributed system installations throughout New England and New York State.

INSTALLATION    

Our technicians are trained in installation of 70 volt distributed systems, digital and analog mixers, hard disk recording, wireless and video related products. We're experienced in LAN and WAN network design, installation and maintenance. Our technical expertise allows us to offer our customer complete sound and communication systems as well as more advanced work, such as RF, IR and Category 5 wiring.


 CONTRACT WORK

Norwich Free Academy Slater Auditorium renovation.

Caruso Audio worked closely with the design team and customer while installing a complete music- recording system in this well known, historic performing art center.

This project involved working with all audio components utilized in the main chapel body, museum, council area and youth function room. Work included, system design, installation, direct involvement of wireless locations, use of test equipment- Smart Systems Media and pre-wiring for future cctv integration.

DATA CABLING

Involves LAN and WAN network design, installation and maintenance. Installation of Category 5 cables into educational and commercial buildings. Our technicians are trained in design and installation of these cable networks.

SERVICE

Caruso Audio are authorized dealers for over 350 brands. We have nearly 50 years of experience in the design and installation of audio systems through out New England We maintain, service and install all the products we sell. Make Caruso Audio your choice for all of your sound systems and recording needs. 

Please contact us for more information about installations, service, and sales
 

Live Sound                                                    back to top

When your talking about live sound you better know who your talking to and they better know what they're talking about. Caruso Music has been selling, servicing, installing and running live sound rigs for as long as live sound rigs have been around. Whatever your looking for don't hesitate to ask. If we don't have the answers we will get you the answer in short order. We won't invent knowledge. What we will do is get on the phone directly with the manufactures and use the power of our long and strong relationships to get your questions answered correctly.

We have designed and shipped complete sound packages for customers in Bermuda, Nigeria, Italy, Brazil, St. Martin, Puerto Rico, The Dominican Republic as well as every state in the union including Hawaii and Alaska. That's why we say "Trusted by musicians worldwide for over 78 years"

We specialize in fixed installations including line arrays, digital snakes, automated consoles, wireless technology and the myriad of products necessary to make it all work seamlessly.

Please feel free to stop in the shop, give us a call or email us with your concerns. We look forward to adding you to our growing list of satisfied customers.

 

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