JodyJazz, Inc. has announced the introduction of the world’s first hand-hammered saxophone mouthpiece, the new JodyJazz HH Tenor model. Since Jody Espina first began designing his JodyJazz mouthpieces, he has been on a constant quest not only to offer the finest and most consistent mouthpieces available, but also to further expand the palate of sound textures and performance characteristics available to saxophonists. Now Jody is proud to unveil his newest innovation and the latest result in his ongoing quest for new sounds, the world’s first hand-hammered saxophone mouthpiece. The new hand-hammered HH Tenor mouthpieces will be initially available in a limited edition run of 300pcs in a special Rose Gold finish.
Hand-hammering is the ancient art of working brass and bronze alloys to manipulate their sonic characteristics which cymbal makers have been using for centuries. Hand-hammered cymbals are renowned and much prized for their dark, complex, rich, and warm overtones. Jody wanted to know if these same sonic properties could be imparted to a mouthpiece through the application of hand-hammering. To bring this idea to life, he sought out one of the world’s foremost experts in the art of hand-hammering. With over 30 years of experience at one of the world’s largest cymbal companies, Paul Francis has designed some of the most popular and highly coveted cymbals ever created.
The results of the first experiments were instant and pronounced. Hammering the bell brass blanks resulted in mouthpieces with uniquely warm and complex tonal characteristics. In order to enhance the unique tonal characteristic and response of the hammered brass, an all-new internal design and facing curve was developed. And so was born the new JodyJazz HH Tenor mouthpiece, the world’s first hand-hammered saxophone mouthpiece.
“Hammering the brass compresses it and makes it stronger,” said Jody Espina, President and Founder of JodyJazz Inc. “The harder the material, the easier it rings out and sustains. You need less energy to get it to resonate than a softer,
un-hammered piece of brass. Everyone who has played the mouthpiece says the hammering makes it sweeter sounding,” he continued. “Together with it’s combination of a round chamber and straight side walls the new HH Tenor delivers a truly unique combination of warm beautiful sound with power and fullness.”
The HH Tenor models feature another design innovation which JodyJazz is calling the “Patch Bay”. This is a recessed, shallow basin in the beak of the mouthpiece that allows for the easy and comfortable placement of a clear protector patch. JodyJazz will be shipping the new HH Tenor mouthpiece with one of their ‘Perfect Patch’ mouthpiece cushions already affixed in the patch bay and then another larger clear patch over the top.
The new HH Tenor mouthpieces are available in 6*, 7*, 8* and 9* tip openings. The limited edition run in Rose Gold finish is 300pcs total incorporating all sizes. Each one has been individually hand-hammered by famed cymbal master craftsman Paul Francis. Each mouthpiece will bear a serial number of 1 through 300.
JodyJazz is also making available, for purchase separately, a matching Hand-Hammered POWER RING Ligature also in Rose Gold.
