It’s the end of an era in downtown St. Joseph, and in the Music World in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
Ed Bagatini—at age 92—is closing ‘Bagatini’s Quality Music Merchandise’, his music shop at 418 State Street on the South end of downtown. Bagatini says, “It’s time.”
In a phone conversation he confirmed to MoodyOnTheMarket.com that the store building is in the process of being sold. A real estate website says a “contingent offer” is in place. It’s not clear exactly when the store will close.
Bagatini told us “We’re trying to clear things out as soon as we can.” He declined to further discuss his plans. Social media says he is ‘retiring’. However, he did not personally confirm that.
Ed Bagatini has been synonymous with musical instruments and live musical performances in Southwest Michigan for 60 years. According to various internet posts, he took over the former Kniebes Music Store in 1962 and has operated it ever since. ‘Bagatini’s’ went up over the door in 1982—and that’s how people have referred to the unique traditional music store ever since. Musical instruments, a wide variety of equipment and merchandise, even sheet music!
Thousands of Southwest Michigan kids bought their first musical instruments from Ed Bagatini—and many learned to play them via lessons he either conducted or coordinated. While the majority may have simply played in the school band and set aside their instruments, many of Bagatini’s students went on to be professional musicians and give him credit for the initial inspiration, as well as much coaching along the way. According to a biographic page on www.goswm.com, Bagatini “laid the foundations for the band programs at Lake Michigan College and Lake Michigan Catholic Schools.”
Numerous social media posts over several days have offered up nostalgic and endearing comments from musicians, thanking Bagatini for being a mentor over the decades.
“…Valve oil plus advice, Thanks Ed for being a part of the musical fabric of St. Joe…”
“…a master composer, musician, technician and friend…”
“…he taught me to play the coronet. Sadly in vain…”
In a time when things are often ‘throw away’, including musical instruments, Bagatini has been a master of repairing items so that they can continue to be used for years. In the back of his store is fully-equipped musical instrument repair area. It’s said that he often has been able to repair instruments that others had declared ‘unfixable.’ Bagatini is also described as a technical innovator in musical instruments, creating new equipment or adaptations and accomplishing better-looking repairs.
Bagatini grew up in Calumet, Michigan, graduated with a Music Degree from Eastern Michigan University and became a trombonist with the 5th Army Headquarters Band. Later, after establishing himself in Southwest Michigan, he was the musical director of The Nostalgic Big Band, the Dynabones and the Ed Bagatini Trio. Bagatini’s special musical arrangements highlighted The Dynabones performances of ‘easy listening live jazz’ for trombone, guitar, bass and drums. Depending on the occasion, Bagatini and his trombone appeared with all variations from a trio up to an eleven piece orchestra.
According to a phone message at the store, Bagatini’s is currently open limited midday hours Tuesdays through Saturdays. 269-983-1872
