[TenorMadnessDrew]

The guys at Drake and RS Berkeley have done it again...

Amazingly, the second release in the "Legends Series" will be Charlie Parker's iconic white alto mouthpiece. Les Silver at RS Berkeley received the original mouthpiece from Bird's daughter, Kim Parker. I know Les on a personal level, and his enthusiasm for this project is inspiring and refreshing. I can't imagine what he went through to make this happen, but I know it's been a long time in the works.

The Charlie Parker Legends Series mouthpiece is an exact replica of the one Bird owned and recorded with extensively.

The mouthpieces are handmade in the USA by Drake and combine state of the art technology with hand finishing tradition to create a precision reproduction of Bird's original mouthpiece. Drake mouthpieces are known for their accuracy, response, pitch stability, and projection. The first mouthpiece in this series, based on Stan Getz's, was an overwhelming success and received positive reviews across the board.

These will be available from Tenor Madness in 4* (Bird's original tip opening), 5*, and 6* on or around April 15.

There you have it - no more excuses not to sound like Bird!

Some other mouthpieces in the pipeline - Johnny Griffin, Benny Carter, Frank Foster... More information on the way soon

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[BrianMitchellBrody]

That is really very cool. Do you know what the retail will be on those? B

 

[rleitch]

Can you say hotcakes?

 

[tenor71363]

I think I'll buy one of those instead of paying my taxes.

 

[Rackety Sax]

What, no tooth marks?

Actually, this is neat. So what brand was the original mouthpiece?

 

[Nefertiti]

I talked to Les about these Parker mouthpiece for awhile on the phone about a month ago. He was so excited. He just got back from Charlie Parkers daughters house and was telling me the story. Opening the sax case and seeing Birds sax and mouthpiece. There were even used reeds in there that he had used. He is very excited about this project and Les is such a nice guy. I'm very curious about where this goes and what mouthpieces he will get in the future. I'd be very interested in trying a copy of Cannonballs mouthpiece!

 

[jamiejazz]

Do you know if the * means Bird's was a short facing? I think that's the case with Tonalins

 

[piwikiwi]

they should make a copy of gerry mulligan's mouthpiece, that one is pretty unique

 

[daigle65]

What's it made of? The material?
I asked this question about the Getz model but I never got an answer.

 

[LiAm84]

Some other mouthpieces in the pipeline - Johnny Griffin, Benny Carter, Frank Foster... More information on the way soon

View attachment 26689

Johnny Griffins's mouthpiece will be interesting especially because he used to modify his mouthpieces himself, taking a black and decker drill to a Link 10*.

 

[TenorMadnessDrew]

A couple quick answers.

1. This mouthpiece will go for $489.

2. As for what's it's made of, I will ask. With the Getz piece, it was a composite of sorts, though I can't get more specific than that (I literally don't know). So I don't believe this will be hard rubber, but rather some kind of composite.

3. Bird's original mouthpiece was a... Well, I know, but part of the fun is guessing! I'm sure there are many others here who know the answer.

 

[smonkman]

Damn it, now I have GAS.

 

[hakukani]

Brilhardt or Runyon?

 

[magical pig]

My guess would be they're made of Drake's "vintage resin" compound ( i.e. plastic :twisted: )

Next in the series : reproduction of Trane's mouthpiece. Then both Drake and Berkeley can retire. :twisted:

 

[Rennie]

I am curious - what brand was that horn? And the white mouthpiece - he played a Brilhart Streamline and a Runyon that were white. But as this website shows, later in his life it was all metal that he played.

Reine

 

[Atonal]

I would think it is a copy of his Brilhart Streamline.

 

[Rackety Sax]

A couple quick answers.

1. This mouthpiece will go for $489.
...

Looks like Bird's ship has finally come in... just 56 years too late!

 

[Rennie]

I would think it is a copy of his Brilhart Streamline.

Well, it would surprise me - he played that (at least as photos show us) early in his career. Given Parkers famed pawning, changing, borrowing of horns it seems hard too believe that mouthpiece was still in the case. It would at least shed a different light on that story.

 

[Peterogping]

Brilhardt or Runyon?

According to Paul Coats, Parker for quite a while played on a white Runyon 22 given to him by Santy.

 

[Rackety Sax]

I can understand all the uncertainty and confusion about the mouthpieces Bird played 60 years ago. Let's hope when this is officially released we aren't left similarly in the dark about exactly what this is a copy of.