For more than a generation, Jimmy and Jackie Osborne have been tuning up the spirit of Center Moriches—one note, one student, and one concert at a time.
As the heart and soul of Jimmy Osborne Music, a Main Street fixture for 28 years, the Osbornes have created more than just a music shop. They’ve built a community. Whether performing in their high-energy band Chain Reaction or as the soulful Duet After Dark, mentoring young musicians, or hosting concerts under the summer sun, their harmony—on stage and in life—is unmistakable.
“We believe music is a gift that lasts a lifetime,” said Jimmy, a third-generation piano man whose musical legacy runs deep. “It’s something you pass down, like a treasured family recipe—except it’s made of melody and rhythm.”
Jimmy’s musical roots go back more than a century. His father, Chester Osborne, taught music at Center Moriches High School for over 40 years. Chester’s father, James, and grandfather, Henry, were also musicians, creating a legacy Jimmy is proud to carry on. “I grew up in a house where music wasn’t background noise—it was the heartbeat of our home,” he said.
Jackie, a fourth-grade teacher at Eastport Elementary School and president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches, brings her own energy and vision to the mix. For the past three years, she’s led the chamber in organizing events like the Moriches Spring Street Fair, where Chain Reaction lit up the stage this year. The chamber also hosts a free summer concert series that draws families, friends, and music lovers from across the East End.
Their shop—recently given a fresh new look by local interior designer Suzanne McKeon of Plum Cottage, Ltd.—offers more than sheet music and reeds. It’s a full-service music center:
- Instrumental training for children and adults in piano, guitar, bass, voice, brass, strings, woodwind, and percussion
- Expert preparation for student competitions with organizations like NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association), SCMEA (Suffolk County Music Educators Association), and HMEA (Hampton Music Educators Association)
- Instrument rentals, piano tuning and repair, music accessories, and even a selection of musical-themed gifts
- Live entertainment bookings for weddings, parties, and community events
“We’ve had students go on to major in music, teach in schools, perform in touring bands—or just enjoy being musicians for life,” Jackie said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to watch that growth.”
For Jimmy, the piano is more than an instrument—it’s a life force. “The piano is my voice. It’s how I connect with people, how I teach, how I unwind,” he said. “Every student I work with, I try to help them find their own voice through music, too. My dad and granddad taught me that—now it’s my turn.”
Jimmy and Jackie are proud lifelong locals who see their work as part of a broader mission: keeping music alive in the community.
“We want to pass on the tradition of music to every kid who walks through our door,” said Jackie. “It’s not just about lessons—it’s about joy, discipline, creativity, and connection.”
As they approach three decades on Main Street, the Osbornes show no signs of slowing down. Whether it’s preparing students for high-level competitions, performing for packed summer crowds, or helping a beginner find the perfect first instrument, their melody continues. And in Center Moriches, that song sounds sweeter every year.