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BAND & ORCHESTRA
Hep Sax Straps
Rico Reeds and Blue Note Records have entered
into a licensing agreement in which Rico will
produce saxophone straps featuring Blue Note
session photography. Each sax strap features
time-honored artwork from Blue Note’s classic
recordings and album covers. Straps include
True Blue, the 1960 classic featuring saxophonist
Tina Brooks; Afro-Cuban, the 1955 recording by
trumpeter Kenny Dorham that featured the Jazz
Messengers ensemble including Hank Mobley
on tenor sax and Cecil
Payne on baritone sax;
and Black Fire, the 1963
Blue Note debut recording of
pianist Andrew Hill featuring Joe
Henderson on tenor sax. Each strap
includes Rico’s unique curved hook and
easy slide adjustor. Straps are available
in two lengths, one for soprano/alto and
one for tenor/bari. MSRP: $35.
More info: ricoreeds.com
Homegrown Brass
The Andreas Eastman line of handcrafted
brass and woodwind instruments is
made in the United States to high-quality
standards. The 800 series trumpets
feature yellow or gold brass bells in
standard or light weights with a
lacquer or silver finish.
More info: eastmanmusiccompany.com
Brass Family
Jupiter has added low brass, bass
trombones and a lead trumpet to its
XO series of professional horns. The
1240L-T bass trombone features a
.571-inch bore, open wrap design and
an independent Dual Thayer rotor
valve assembly. The 1242L bass trombone
has a .562-inch bore, open
wrap, offset dependent
rotor and mechanicallink
tapered rotary
valves. The 1600I trumpet
features a .453-inch
bore, silver-plated yellow
brass body and a 4.8-inch
handcrafted B1 bell with
heavy bead to provide additional
mass and resonance. The 1284 CC
tuba features a graduated .732–.787-inch
bore, an 18-inch yellow brass bell
and rose brass leadpipe.
More info: jupitermusic.com
Good Vibrations
The JodyJazz Ring’s self-locking
CNC-machined taper
touches the saxophone reed
Yamaha
YAS-875EXW
alto sax
Rico/Blue
Note sax
straps
Eastman
800 series
trumpet
Jupiter XO
series bass
trombone
JodyJazz Rings
on three points only. It has no moving or added parts,
increasing the efficiency of its vibration. Optimal wall
thickness allows the most freedom for the reed, which
increases the amount of harmonics present in the
sound. MSRP: $69.95–$79.95. More info: jodyjazz.com
Refined Sax Sound
The Yamaha YAS-875EXW alto saxophone with white
and gold lacquering features a smooth response along
with a deep, refined sound. It has nimble action, quality
projection and an authoritative tone. All EX saxophones
have custom necks to enhance tonal resonance and give
a quicker, more comfortable response.
More info: yamaha.com
Go For The Sound
P. Mauriat’s PMT-700 professional B-flat trumpet combines
the ease of a lightweight bell with the strength of a
heavyweight mid-section. Its light finger buttons,
recessed valve caps and heavyweight bottom
caps surround stainless steel hand-lapped
valves to provide stability. A lightened 4.8-inch
yellow brass bell and gold brass leadpipe support
the direction of the player’s sound.
Coming soon is the PMT-655 trumpet, featuring
a 5-inch bell and designed for a
broad, open sound.
More info: pmauriatmusic.com
Upright Bass Pickup
David Gage and Ned Steinberger have
worked together to build a clip-on version
of the Realist pickup for acoustic bass.
Called the SoundClip, the pickup clamps
easily on the bridge of any string bass and
features an on-board volume knob so
players can adjust output on the spot.
More info: realistacoustic.com
Synthetic Signature
Légère Reeds has come out with Signature
series synthetic reeds for tenor saxophone.
Made of a polymer compound with a fine
microtexture that mimics the properties of
high-end moist cane, the reeds respond
quickly and maintain their consistency
over a long period of time.
More info: legere.com
Rubber-and-Metal Mouthpiece
Bari Woodwind Supplies now offers a
Hybrid saxophone mouthpiece that
combines properties of metal and
hard rubber for a comfortable feel
and versatile sound. Suitable for
jazz and studio players, the Hybrid
provides excellent intonation
and projection and is available
in two finishes: hand-polished
high-gloss and vintage matte.
More info: bariwoodwind.com
April 2010 DOWNBEAT 69