Established in 1974 by Phil Rovner, Rovner® began its journey with the creation of one ligature, the original Dark. Since then, it has expanded its range to encompass four “Classic” models and four “NextGeneration” models. Distributed globally, Rovner® products are cherished by musicians of all levels, from novices to top-tier professionals. Despit…

Established in 1974 by Phil Rovner, Rovner® began its journey with the creation of one ligature, the original Dark. Since then, it has expanded its range to encompass four "Classic" models and four "NextGeneration" models. Distributed globally, Rovner® products are cherished by musicians of all levels, from novices to top-tier professionals. Despit…

There was a ton of action going on at the P. Mauriat booth during the NAMM Show 2024. Despite that, I still had the privilege of speaking with Jeremiah True, Brand Manager at P. Mauriat, who is a really special guy. Jeremiah True is a versatile woodwind performer proficient in all saxophones, clarinets, flutes, and […] The post Jeremiah True-P Maur…

There was a ton of action going on at the P. Mauriat booth during the NAMM Show 2024. Despite that, I still had the privilege of speaking with Jeremiah True, Brand Manager at P. Mauriat, who is a really special guy. Jeremiah True is a versatile woodwind performer proficient in all saxophones, clarinets, flutes, and bassoon. With a rich background s…

In this episode, I had the pleasure of meeting Steve Teeters and Tyler Rogers of Claude Lakey Woodwinds at the NAMM Show 2024 to discuss their amazing saxophone mouthpieces. For over fifty years, Claude Lakey’s enduring legacy has thrived within the company he established, evolving from its modest inception in a corner of a music […] The post Claud…

Victory Musical Instruments remains the top choice for musicians and dealers worldwide due to its commitment to excellence. Offering exceptional sound quality, precise intonation, and improved mechanisms, Victory Instruments are designed with musicians’ needs in mind. These wind instruments, prized by musicians globally, stand out for their superb …

Victory Musical Instruments remains the top choice for musicians and dealers worldwide due to its commitment to excellence. Offering exceptional sound quality, precise intonation, and improved mechanisms, Victory Instruments are designed with musicians' needs in mind. These wind instruments, prized by musicians globally, stand out for their superb …

Established in 1919 by Jesse James Babbitt, the JJ Babbitt Company, Inc. is the industry’s oldest mouthpiece manufacturer for clarinets and saxophones. Still family-owned, it’s now led by Steve and Debbie Rorie and remains rooted in Elkhart, Indiana. Based in Elkhart, Indiana, formerly hailed as “The Band Instrument Capital of the World,” the JJ Ba…

Established in 1919 by Jesse James Babbitt, the JJ Babbitt Company, Inc. is the industry's oldest mouthpiece manufacturer for clarinets and saxophones. Still family-owned, it's now led by Steve and Debbie Rorie and remains rooted in Elkhart, Indiana. Based in Elkhart, Indiana, formerly hailed as "The Band Instrument Capital of the World," the JJ Ba…

Silverstein Works is an accessories company committed to excellence in the realm of music. They specialize in researching and developing premium-quality products, aiming to set the highest standard in performance and usability for musicians. During this year’s NAMM Show, I had the opportunity to speak with Calvin Son, President and Director of Arti…

Silverstein Works is an accessories company committed to excellence in the realm of music. They specialize in researching and developing premium-quality products, aiming to set the highest standard in performance and usability for musicians. During this year's NAMM Show, I had the opportunity to speak with Calvin Son, President and Director of Arti…

Saxophonist, flutist, and educator Sharel Cassity is a standout in New York and Chicago jazz circles. Named the 2023 “Rising Star Alto Saxophone” and featured on Downbeat Magazine’s cover, she’s graced TV shows like Today, Good Morning America, and The Colbert Show. Honored in the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, Sharel has also received the […] The pos…

Saxophonist, flutist, and educator Sharel Cassity is a standout in New York and Chicago jazz circles. Named the 2023 "Rising Star Alto Saxophone" and featured on Downbeat Magazine's cover, she's graced TV shows like Today, Good Morning America, and The Colbert Show. Honored in the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, Sharel's also received the ASCAP Young J…

Born in Detroit, Rick Margitza’s musical journey began with classical saxophone training under Donald Sinta at the University of Michigan. He also studied jazz with notable mentors like Sonny Stitt and Michael Brecker. Graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans, Margitza’s musical style was deeply influenced by the city’s rich cultural tapest…

Born in Detroit, Rick Margitza's musical journey began with classical saxophone training under Donald Sinta at the University of Michigan. He also studied jazz with notable mentors like Sonny Stitt and Michael Brecker. Graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans, Margitza's musical style was deeply influenced by the city's rich cultural tapest…

I am consistently thrilled to visit the Theo Wanne booth at every NAMM Show, as they invariably unveil innovative products. At the NAMM Show 2024, I was particularly impressed by the introduction of the new Theo Wanne Saxophone Mouthpieces. Theo is considered the world’s foremost expert on the design and manufacturing of saxophone mouthpieces. As […

I am consistently thrilled to visit the Theo Wanne booth at every NAMM Show, as they invariably unveil exciting new products. During the NAMM Show 2024, I had the pleasure of speaking with Matt Ambrose, the Chief Machinist, and Thomas Harris about the latest Theo Wanne saxophone mouthpieces. Theo is considered the world’s foremost expert on the des…

I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Kortschot from Legere Reeds at the 2022 NAMM Show, where he showcased some truly remarkable reeds. It was delightful to reconnect with him at the 2024 NAMM Show, where Legere unveiled their latest innovation, the Frech Cut reeds. Légère Reeds Ltd. was founded in 1998 by Dr. Guy […] The post Legere Reeds French Cu…

I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Kortschot from Legere Reeds at the 2022 NAMM Show, where he showcased some truly remarkable reeds. It was delightful to reconnect with him at the 2024 NAMM Show, where Legere unveiled their latest innovation, the Frech Cut reeds. Légère Reeds Ltd. was founded in 1998 by Dr. Guy Légère and Dr. Mark Kortschot, driv…

Susanne Alt, a versatile artist from Amsterdam, excels in saxophone, composition, DJing, and production. Born in 1978 in Würzburg, Germany, Alt showed early promise, winning the Siemens Prize for young talent in classical saxophone during her formative years at the Meistersinger-Konservatorium Nuremberg. Alt’s musical journey continued as she pursu…

The EMEO, the pioneering digital practice horn for saxophonists, has expanded its offerings to include mouthpieces crafted from FDA-approved dental material and solid silver. Mouthpieces showcased at the NAMM Show 2024 are currently accessible for alto and tenor saxophones, as well as clarinets. We talked about: How EMEO is using FDA-approved denta…

The EMEO, the pioneering digital practice horn for saxophonists, has expanded its offerings to include mouthpieces crafted from FDA-approved dental material and solid silver. Mouthpieces showcased at the NAMM Show 2024 are currently accessible for alto and tenor saxophones, as well as clarinets. We talked about: How EMEO is using FDA-approved denta…

Founded by Lars Hueseler and a group of enthusiasts in late 2007, Forestone emerged determined to revolutionize the reed industry by overcoming the limitations of traditional cane and plastic reeds. Led by Kazunori, a former manager at Japan’s leading woodwind distributor Kawai, they devised a groundbreaking material formula: a blend of bamboo and …

Founded by Lars Hueseler and a group of enthusiasts in late 2007, Forestone emerged determined to revolutionize the reed industry by overcoming the limitations of traditional cane and plastic reeds. Led by Kazunori, a former manager at Japan's leading woodwind distributor Kawai, they devised a groundbreaking material formula: a blend of bamboo and …

JodyJazz crafts top-tier saxophone mouthpieces with patented designs and innovative manufacturing techniques. Favored by renowned saxophonists worldwide, each piece is meticulously hand-crafted in the USA, meeting the highest standards. Founder Jody Espina, a distinguished saxophonist, recognized the crucial role mouthpiece design plays in sound an…

JodyJazz crafts top-tier saxophone mouthpieces with patented designs and innovative manufacturing techniques. Favored by renowned saxophonists worldwide, each piece is meticulously hand-crafted in the USA, meeting the highest standards. Founder Jody Espina, a distinguished saxophonist, recognized the crucial role mouthpiece design plays in sound an…

Marca’s New Cane & Synthetic Unic Reeds blend the sonic richness of traditional cane with the durability of synthetic fibers, featuring a pioneering composition of 95% cane and 5% synthetic material, offering a potential 6-month lifespan while preserving stability and humidity control, and treated like conventional cane reeds, available for saxopho…

Marca's New Cane & Synthetic Unic Reeds blend the sonic richness of traditional cane with the durability of synthetic fibers, featuring a pioneering composition of 95% cane and 5% synthetic material, offering a potential 6-month lifespan while preserving stability and humidity control, and treated like conventional cane reeds, available for saxopho…

Saxophonist Educator and Composer, Dr. Woody Witt, is a Professor of Music at Houston Community College and is the Instructor of Saxophone at the University of Houston Moores School of Music. He got his Masters degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, where he taught saxophone and jazz methods. He also received […] The post Saxoph…

Saxophonist Educator and Composer, Dr. Woody Witt, is a Professor of Music at Houston Community College and is the Instructor of Saxophone at the University of Houston Moores School of Music. He got his Masters degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, where he taught saxophone and jazz methods. As a jazz artist, Woody has had the …

Sylvain Carton, originally from France, is a multi-instrumentalist (woodwinds, guitars) and composer currently residing in Los Angeles. He has recorded and performed for numerous groups, including Aly and Aj, Beats Antique, Tenacious D, and Lord Huron, among others. Sylvain is a composer and producer, crafting music for films, commercials, document…