Canadian Music Trade - February / March 2020 | Page 19

TRADE REGRETS:
STEVE’S MUSIC’S
SHELDON
SAZANT
L
ike everyone who knew
him across the Canadian
MI industry and beyond,
Canadian Music Trade was
shocked and saddened to
learn that Sheldon Sazant,
the long-time general
manager of Steve’s Music’s flagship Montreal
location, passed away on Jan. 23, 2020, as a
result of kidney cancer. He was 58.
Sheldon began his career at Steve’s
Music in Montreal as a part-time employ-
ee in 1978 and essentially grew up in the
store. “I started one summer in 1978 for
Mr. Steve Kirman, working in the ware-
house moving boxes, going crazy,” Sheldon
recalled in 2015 as part of NAMM’s Oral
History Program. “I was going to school at
that time. I finished school three years lat-
er with a Bachelor of Science in microbi-
ology, and this is what I chose to do with
it because Steve said, ‘What are you doing
with your life?’ and I said, ‘I don’t know?’
So, he said, ‘Would you like to become a
manager for me on the floor?’ and the rest
is history.”
Unique among life-long MI profes-
sionals in not being a musician himself,
though no less passionate about music,
Sheldon was beloved by co-workers, sup-
pliers, and customers throughout his long
career in the industry for his kind nature
and good sense of humour.
He leaves behind his loving family, wife
Della and children Samantha and Joshua.
Sheldon was also the proud uncle of Jordan,
Sevia, and Kelsey.
Michael Kirman, the VP of Steve’s Music
and the son of the company’s late founder,
Steve Kirman, shared the following heart-
felt thoughts with CMT on his life-long
friend and mentor:
“In short, I’ve known Sheldon
practically my whole life. As a
child, Sheldon was bigger than life.
One of my dad’s most trusted up-
and-coming managers. It was the
team of Sheldon and Dave [Gantz]
throughout the ‘80s to present. My
father always thought of everyone
who worked for him as family,
something I’ve learned and still
value. So did everyone who became
part of that inner circle. We were
all each other’s family.
“In 1988, at 15 turning 16,
wanting to work to get my licence
and the freedom of a car, I couldn’t
just go work for my dad. I had to
interview with Sheldon and Dave
(pretty sure in retrospect I would
have gotten the job regardless).
So, from that point, my mentor-
ship with Sheldon started. Over
the past 30 years (wow, just scary
thinking of that) of learning and working,
our relationship from student to peers to
taking on the role of boss, Sheldon has
always been one of my strongest shoulders
and supporters.
“Sheldon was like that big brother
or cool cousin you always wanted to see.
He always had a huge smile and a big
hug (bear hugs run in the Sazant family).
He had a way to make every client and
co-worker feel important.
“I’ve shared every major moment with
my Steve’s family. Sheldon was at my bar
mitzvah, my wedding, and the birth of my
children. When my father passed away, he
was there, and his parents [passed away]
so close in time with mine. We shared a
special bond over that.
“Trade shows with Sheldon – for those
who ever went to a MIAC, AES, or The
NAMM Show with him – was like seeing
him at his best. Everywhere you went,
everyone knew Sheldon. Smiles and hugs.
Lots of hugs. No one shook Sheldon’s
hand at a meeting; he was everyone’s
family.
“Talking with Jeff (his brother) earlier
today, we summed up Sheldon in one
word: love. That was his life, his passion,
everything he touched.
“I’m going to truly miss him. Like
my late father, I think of them both every
day.”
We at Canadian Music Trade extend
our sympathies to Sheldon’s family,
friends, and industry peers.
CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE 19