JodyJazz, Inc. recently exhibited at the ExpoMusic trade show in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the largest musical instrument fair in Latin America.
Every year the show attracts over 50,000 visitors from over 50 different countries and features over 200 exhibitors representing musical instrument brands from all over the world. It was JodyJazz’s third year exhibiting at the show and once again the JodyJazz stand was a hive of activity with appreciative and enthusiastic sax players and dealers from all over Brazil swarming the booth.
“After three years exhibiting at this show, we have established a robust network of dealers throughout the country,” said Jody Espina, president of JodyJazz. “We’ve also built an impressive Artist Endorser roster consisting of some of the most popular and talented Sax players in Brazil,” he continued. “Certainly the challenges to import products from the USA are not inconsiderable, but we have found a way to make it work.”
“I’m proud that so many players here have chosen to play my mouthpieces,” said Espina. “We have Endorsers in every field now from serious Jazz players like Rodrigo Bento and Josue Lopez to child star Victor Aguiar and Sintia Piccin who plays on TV every night. The standard of musicianship and quality of the playing is incredibly high. Our newest Endorser Vinicius Chagas is one of the most exciting young saxophone talents I’ve heard in a long time.”
“There is a saying about Brazil, that it is the ‘economy of the future… but the future never comes’,” said Colin Schofield, JodyJazz’s VP of Sales & Marketing. “But we have a very long-term view,” he continued. “Certainly there are complex political, governmental and social issues that must be resolved in order for the instrument market to reach a level anywhere close to its potential, but music-making is woven in to the fabric of Brazilian culture. The saxophone is an incredibly popular instrument and there is already a huge demand for our mouthpieces. With the explosion now of the Church and Gospel market, we only see this growing exponentially in the future.”
In addition to his duties at the ExpoMusic trade show, Espina also found time to sneak in a gig with the great Brazilian drummer Carlos Ezequiel at the famous ‘Jazz Nos Fundos’ Jazz Club in Sao Paulo. Jody was joined by the young up-and-coming Sax player Josue dos Santos who plays the JodyJazz HR* Soprano and Alto models.
