[ChuBerry47]

Okay you guys can say what you think, but listen to these people together.

1. Has anybody ever noticed a similarity between the playing style of Michael Brecker and Jerry Bergonzi? Similar?

2. The tone of Michael Brecker and Jerry Bergonzi?

3. Very similar, but does the tone of Bob Berg sound very similar to that of Brecker, and Bill Evans?

4. Do Bill evans, and Berg sound very alike, tone, and playing style (when playing fast)?

DOes anybody know what mouthpieces These people play, besides Brecker, and Berg, (If berg's website was right, and he plays a Francois Louie Mouthpiece-I could not find any info on them).

 

[ChuBerry47]

Anyone? Anyone?

 

[hakukani]

1. Similar in that they both play tenor, and play jazz.
2. Bergonzi has a much fatter, less edgy sound than Brecker.

 

[10mfan]

Bergonzi uses an Otto Link SLANT SIG 10* he got from me.

It was an amazing piece and all original. He sounds incredible on it...especially in person. The perfect tenor sound.

 

[daigle65]

I saw Bergonzi this spring, he was in town to record an album and play a concert with alto player Rémi Bolduc.
Rémi told me that in the studio Bergonzi was using a #7 but live he was using a #10. That's a a pretty big difference for the embouchure, I'm not sure what the advantage is of switching mpcs for studio or live playing.

Anyway Chu,these days Bergonzi has a much darker tone than Brecker, maybe on recordings from 10 years ago their tones were more similar.

 

[ChuBerry47]

That is probably what it was. I was listening to some of his older records.


As for the playing style?

 

[ChuBerry47]

You are right. I am listening to one of his newer albums. Sounds similar to him, but different both at the same time.

 

[MM]

All these players also have the letter B in their name.

I would say there is some similarity in the tones of Brecker, Berg and Bill Evans. They play bright and edgy. Though Bob Berg's sound was a bit darker than the other two.

Bergonzi's sound is darker, fatter, even more so in the last few years. A great player and a great guy.

 

[ChuBerry47]

you might be on to something with the "B's" ! Elementary my dear Watson!

 

[Mike Cesati]

On Standard Gonz as well as 1980 Brubeck Stuff Jerry Bergonzi used a metal Link , I know he had a 5 or a 6 he loved. The live album with Mulgrew Miller where he plays Inner Urge is a metal Link. Killer Record.
He plays the HR now. He has used an 8 Link that he got from Sam Ash NY off the shelf and loved it . He told me he thought he clapped it out.

Over the years knowing him he has tons of mpcs. He sounds great on all of them. I was recently visiting with him and he had 4-5 Links in boxes and he was saying he wasn't even sure what he thought was best. He was kind of laughing that he has been playing 50 years and didn't even know which mpc. he should be using.
He once told me he wasn't sure if he should be playing a 10 or a 5.:? He loves to experiment. I know that he loves the 10* Link he got from 10M Fan.

He definitely ALWAYS sounds unbelievable in person or up close. He does have a darker tone now. I heard him live 3 weeks ago up close . Dark and expressive. Master of RYTHYM. He's a great drummer and pianist. Drums especially now. He's hooked on cymbals and cymbal tones. He's the REAL DEAL. Great friend of Mike Brecker.

 

[Frank D]

Similar in playing styles in that they all studied Coltrane intensively.

 

[maestroelite]

His website says that he's using the Mouthpieceguy's Bergonzi Slant Supreme now. Who knows what that means as far as how much he plays it but its there.

 

[Mark R]

Bill Evans has been playing on a Guardala for many years that was finished for him in Dave's garage in Hicksville, NY...it doesn't have a designated model type. Bob Berg played on I think Francious Louis piece. As noted Bergonzi has played on a bunch of different pieces....don't know if he ever played a Sugal Super Gonz though :c).

Of all these players I would say Berg had the most edge overall in his tone..very interesting complex harmoncs going on. One player I like these days that gets a similar vibe is Bob Franschechini who plays mostly with Mike Stern these days. Last time I saw Bob he is playing on a STM Link...he use to play a Freddie Gregory.