FLOSSMOOR, IL — Founder of well-known Chicago area manufacturer rep firm JAMM Distributing, John Kallen Amstadter passed away Saturday, August 18, 2018 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.
JAMM, a leader in the music and M.I. industries for more than four decades, initially sold musical instruments and accessories in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri, and as technologies changed, added MIDI gear, synthesizers, P.A., wireless mics, lighting, DJ and home recording products. Among the brands JAMM currently represents include Roland, Symetrix, TC Electronic, QSC, Kramer Guitars, Samson and others.
A native of Flossmoor, Mr. Amstadter was the son of Erma Kallen Amstadter and the late Laurence Amstadter. He was also a United States Army veteran. In addition to his wife and mother, Mr. Amstadter is survived by his sons: Noah, Jacob and Eli Amstadter; his brother Marc Amstadter; and one grandson, Jonah Amstadter.
Music always was Amstadter’s true passion. He enjoyed working with musicians and visiting blues clubs, even performing on occasion.
A memorial service was celebrated at Temple Anshe Sholom in Olympia Fields, IL on August 23. The family asks that memorial gifts be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
