DownBeat Magazine
SUPER JET Sop & Bari MAY 19
SUPER JET Tenor – MAY 2018
SUPER JET Alto – MAY 2017
May 2014 Issue
"The range of sounds the Giant can produce is remarkable.....The response and tone were even in all registers, and articulation was nice and clean. And that's not all: The altissimo range absolutely killed....it plays like crazy. Whether you prefer hard-rubber or metal, check out the Giant - there really is nothing else quite like it out there."
"When DownBeat contacted me to review the new Giant for tenor saxophone from JodyJazz, I asked what makes it different from the rest of the company’s premium mouthpieces. I learned that it was made out of aluminum, which produces a darker tone than brass or steel. I was also informed that it was capable of producing a sound with characteristics of both metal and hard-rubber mouthpieces."
March 2012 Issue
"Here’s a novel concept: jazz play-along CDs that are designed not only for developing advanced improvisational skills, but for learning the art of trading solos as well. And not just with anyone, but seasoned pros George Garzone and Kenny Werner..."
January 2012 Issue
"They’re the youngest group in history to play the Chicago Jazz Festival. They’ve rubbed elbows with Orbert Davis and Ron Carter and have their sights set on playing the White House. And after receiving an endorsement deal with JodyJazz, the Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School jazz ensemble is sounding better than ever."
June 2010 Issue
"DV CHI produces a robust well-rounded sound... broader tonal spectrum...effortless response."
January 2009 Issue
"George Garzone has developed an improvising concept called the triadic chromatic approach. The saxophonist uses the four groups of triads—major, minor, augmented and diminished—and has
figured out how to improvise on them with random inversion, with a half-step coupling between each triad. “This is a way of playing that helps you break away from your normal repetitions,” Garzone said..."
May 2008 Issue
"JodyJazz continues to produce new models of gold-plated brass mouthpieces that give serious saxophone players further options for great sound and response. The JodyJazz DV NY alto #5 and DV baritone #8, released early this year, bring metal professional sax mouthpieces to new levels of efficiency and tonal flexibility."
June 2007 Issue
"Neumann has introduced its KMS 104 hand-held wired microphone for live performance applications, a follow-up to the company’s KMS 105 model. Designed for optimal transmission of the
human voice on loud stages, the KMS 104 improves on the KMS 105 with the added feature of a cardioid polar pattern. Neumann’s entire KMS series offers higher acoustic transparency than most
other handhelds, allowing a wider frequency range with better resolution of audio transients..."
February 2006 Issue
"Two new sets of precision crafted mouthpieces from JodyJazz give saxophonists the airflow and the versatility that they need to cover a wide range of tones and styles..."
" … produced a warm, dark tone and blew freely and evenly across the traditional range of the horn. … Extremely responsive, the HR* lets you tongue fast and accurately through uptempo passages without choking up in the throat. "
"... the most inspiring were the DV alto mouthpieces. Bright, full of harmonics and brassy without being shrill, the DV altos projected effortlessly in all ranges, with an especially wailing altissimo. It was easy to play quiet and low with a fat, full sound. Intonation was spot-on."
September 2004 Issue
"JodyJazz mouthpieces clearly reflect attention to detail and finish with superb craftsmanship throughout. All the critical elements are present—accurate intonation, flexibility, centered sound, comfort, appearance and versatility. The brain behind JodyJazz Mouthpieces is Jody Espina, a working musician in the New York City area who creates rubber and metal mouthpieces for soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. With years of research and testing behind him, his goal is for each piece to play like it was custom-tweaked for the individual player’s needs..."
JazzTimes Magazine
April 2012 Issue
"... the DV CHI has the most effortless playability of any mouthpiece I've ever encountered ... the sound is earthy and full with a nice balance of edge and depth."
June 2010 Issue
"... the DV CHI has the most effortless playability of any mouthpiece I've ever encountered ... the sound is earthy and full with a nice balance of edge and depth."
February 2009 Issue
"Virtuoso mouthpiece craftsman Jody Espina expands into the instructional DVD market with The Music of George Garzone & the Triadic Chromatic Approach, a comprehensive presentation of the ideas behind the music of Berklee and New England Conservatory instructor George Garzone..."
June 2008 Issue
"In general, my saxophone mouthpieces are like airport security: metal is usually not encouraged. It’s not that I dislike the sound of metal. In fact, I do like it, especially in contemporary settings. It’s just that
metal mouthpieces come at a cost—more on that later. Yet if anyone is capable of changing my view, it’s Jody Espina (a.k.a. JodyJazz). I have had the pleasure of playing and reviewing a number of JodyJazz
mouthpieces, including the inaugural offering from the DV and DVNY lines (both tenor mouthpieces). So reviewing two “siblings” (a DVNY alto mouthpiece and a DV baritone model) was not so much about testing the abilities of the design, but rather transposing the idea to other saxophones..."
March 2007 Issue
"Lets face it; a mouthpiece maker has a finite amount of time in the spotlight—just think of names like Dukoff, Guardala, Sugal, Barone, Gregory, etc. Jody Espina, on the other hand, has enjoyed an uncommonly long day in the sun for a mouthpiece manufacturer."
January 2004 Issue
"I have to admit that I have an addition. No, not to drugs or alcohol. I have an addiction to saxophone mouthpieces. Be they stock, custom, silver, gold, hard rubber, vintage, new-you name the mouthpiece, I have either owned it or tried it. But I know I'm not alone. If you're reading this, chances are you have the addiction too..."
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