our founder
Dr. Thomas J. Cavalier, dentist and oral surgeon, husband, father of four, entered the music industry unintentionally at first in 1965 when approached by original member and drummer of The Shags looking for a manager, while exercising at the Jewish Community Center in New Haven, CT. His talent, passion for music and people, and his entrepreneurial spirit led him on a musical journey of ups and downs, hundreds of business deals, record contracts, managing and developing well-known artists' careers, affording staff members, artists, musicians and friends to launch their careers, open studios, and cultivate relationships. Born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, he married his neighborhood love in 1958, and sought out his medical degree in dentistry and oral surgery at Tuft's in Boston, MA. Everyone knew him simply as "Doc."
He acquired Syncron Sound Studios as it was going under in the mid 60s including the building that went with it thereby spring boarding his innovative and entrepreneurial spirit to form Trod Nossel Productions & Recordings Studios. A brilliant producer & pioneer, he always stayed ahead of his time keeping up with the latest technology, yet keeping music and his work, organic. Music videos he produced in the 60s were spliced by hand and set to audio, something easily done digitally, today. He learned it all out of a book, and by trial and error, paving the way for successors he inspired.
Doc Cavalier - 1979
He created a conglomerate of companies that included artist management, several music publishing companies, record labels, engineering school, offshoot technical companies such as Omnisonix, music production and through the use of his new facility, a commercial recording studio unlike anything yet in existence in the state and surrounding region at the time. He funded and amassed a catalog of the company's own songs and music. He was a pioneer in the record production and recording arts, and created opportunities for all that came through the door. He welcomed staff and clients in as family, and many claims that he saved marriages, taught them everything they know, etc. abound. Some claim he saved their life, such as first producer and manager of the Rolling Stones, Andrew Loog Oldham, as touted in his "Stoned" book series.
As soon as Voyetra (MIDI) and Deck II (now Avid/Digidesign) were released, Doc and his son, Rob, jumped on the bandwagon. Even in its infancy, with Doc's intuitiveness, he predicted the "studio-in-a-box" concept which students, studios and home recording audiophiles now enjoy. Aligned with his earlier prediction and legacy status, in the early 2000s, Doc was asked to write the Forward and is quoted in the book, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Home Recording," by Clayton Walnum.
Beginning in the early 70s, he was the first to invite bands into the main studio's live room while an enthusiastic audience of anywhere from 40-100 concert-goers crammed themselves in with them. The concerts, entitled, "The Trod Nossel Concert Series," were recorded live and Doc's family owns the rights to this day, 25 of them, including flawless early performances by bands like Fleetwood Mac, Steppenwolf and Chick Corea with Return To Forever.
He and his family through Trod Nossel Artists managed acts and song catalogs over the years, including Cub Koda (Smokin' In The Boys Room), Al Anderson (Tricia Yearwood, NRBQ, etc.) and Mike DelGuidice (Billy Joel).
A self-taught musician himself, he played the accordion, piano and organ he had gotten from his uncle in the 50s; they were at his studio until 2022.
Doc owned and operated Trod Nossel with his family from 1966 until his death on January 1, 2005, leaving his legacy to his children to carry the torch. His influence and contributions will continue to live on through his children, his artists and writers, his music catalog, and all of the lives he has touched throughout the decades.
Doc owned and operated Trod Nossel with his family from 1966 until his death on January 1, 2005, leaving his legacy to his children to carry the torch. His influence and contributions will continue to live on through his children, his artists and writers, his music catalog, and all of the lives he has touched throughout the decades.
