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We Are One (Art Porter) Grafton Alto

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Alex Nyman

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I'm dedicating this track to the lovely lady Moira Hurst (Principal Clarinet with Orchestra Wellington here in NZ) who has given me permanent loan of a Grafton Alto (It's the one one the Soundcloud link photo to this track We Are One originally by Art Porter) I was interested to see how it would perform in a recording situation. It's not as bright as my 6M but is nevertheless still very playable (and just as much an intonation minefield as the 6M) it is also in fabulous condition being a real once in a blue moon out of the case horn. The pads are sealing well and the springs are fairly snappy considering what they are made from and how they're designed. https://soundcloud.com/alex-nyman-759436259%2Fwe-are-one-art-porter Thanks for listening if you have time. Alex
 
J-Moen

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S: R&C Half-curved, EM Curvy; A: YAS875EXIIS, PM 67R; T: Eastman 52nd St, Triumpf; B: Nova Bronze
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Would love to try one of these beauties out! Impressive playing as always! Still brighter, soulful and wonderful. Hope it was as much fun to play as it was to listen to!
 
Alex Nyman

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Thanks guys. It’s a horn with so much visual appeal it’s a shame it’s such a nightmare to set up/repair etc. the action is best described as spongy but workable. It sure was made with a lot of care to it’s form. Truly beautiful.
 
Michael_A

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#5 ·
Alex, time to time I return to famous Massey Hall concert.

"Jazz at Massey Hall is a live jazz album featuring a performance by "the Quintet" given on 15 May 1953 at Massey Hall in Toronto. The quintet was composed of several leading 'modern' players of the day: Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach. It was the only time that the five men recorded together as a unit, and it was the last recorded meeting of Parker and Gillespie."

Last time by chance I have listen to it last month and listening now as I am typing...
So, you touched the history :) by having such a "legendary" (after Charlie :) in this concert ) instrument. Lucky BOY - well said :) !

Your music? You know what I have to say... And it is great on this instrument.
 
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Alex Nyman

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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
pobeda said:
Alex, time to time I return to famous Massey Hall concert.

"Jazz at Massey Hall is a live jazz album featuring a performance by "the Quintet" given on 15 May 1953 at Massey Hall in Toronto. The quintet was composed of several leading 'modern' players of the day: Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach. It was the only time that the five men recorded together as a unit, and it was the last recorded meeting of Parker and Gillespie."

Last time by chance I have listen to it last month and listening now as I am typing...
So, you touched the history :) by having such a "legendary" (after Charlie :) in this concert ) instrument. Lucky BOY - well said :) !

Your music? You know what I have to say... And it is great on this instrument.
Click to expand...
Thank you Michael. I know that album very well. I wore out a cassette of it when I was 14 by constant listening. I think it's good to remember that these Grafton horns were not made to be the superior horn to others rather a cheaper alternative like the Vibrato horns that we see nowadays. The main difference being the care taken to construct a horn that not only was cheaper but also looked beautiful. Not sure if I could say that about the Vibrato horns. If Bird hadn't played one and Ornette in turn hadn't I'm not sure they would have become the legends that they have. Ask any repair person who's had the task of repairing or setting one up and they'll tell you, I'm pretty sure, that they are a nightmare. However what this horn does is make me lay back on it because it's just not a super loud horn and is really quite conservative in its sound. And I think that's quite a good thing. Yes I'm sure lucky to have a good friend who really just had this horn in her attic and never played it (classical player) she bought it whilst on an orchestral tour in Italy from a guy who had also not played it much. Finding the right mouthpiece to go with it is also part of the deal. I've got a Ted Klum acoustimax amber on it and it seems to work okay.
 
Alex Nyman

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Discussion Starter · #17 ·
StrangeSax said:
Grafton for sale at the moment on "TradeMe" - Cash Converters in the Wellington area...

Greg S.[/QUOTE

Just had a knock on the Grafton in the Hutt. Actually not a bad horn at all. Pads are dry and it's not sealing particularly well but enough for it to be played over most of the range. In tune and set up quite well although I'm sure the last time it saw a tech would have been many moons ago. For the price it's a decent deal and it has 4 mouthpieces with it. An as new SML alto. Older metal selmer alto. A white unmarked piece and another marked with a name I didn't recognise.
Click to expand...
 
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Alex Nyman
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