Jerry Bergonzi is a world-renowned jazz saxophonist, composer and educator. He first gained recognition while touring and recording as a guest on several Dave Brubeck ensemble tours, and later held the saxophone chair in the Dave Brubeck Quartet from 1979-1982.
The Presence Masters Series Mouthpiece was sparked by Bergonzi's love of classic short shank Soloist models, played by such greats as Joe Henderson. There is a certain presence in Henderson's sound that surrounds the player and the listener. Full, rich, deep and even haunting are words that could describe this presence.
Aaron Drake's Presence design is informed by the Soloist models of the classic era, while adding innovations that inspire modern saxophonists.
Based on the same essential mouthpiece played by Joe Henderson, the Presence incorporates a "U" shaped chamber with flat side walls. This acoustic design creates a specific feel to the air flow and projects a very substantial core tone. Drake's design modifications optimize the Presence for larger tip-openings - something that was a challenge for players of the traditional version.
The Bergonzi Presence mouthpiece is made from Drake's unique and proprietary Vintage Resin material. The exacting design and the specific material produce an unparalleled response, brilliant projection, spot-on intonation and ease of expression.
The Presence presents a huge warm core with plenty of depth. It can be played mellow but still has plenty of pop and liveliness in the sound. The Presence helps facilitate the type of delivery Joe Henderson was famous for.
"What I look for in a mouthpiece is the ability to shape the sound that I hear in my head, along with ease of articulation. Drake mouthpieces do that for me."
-Jerry Bergonzi
The Presence is available only for Tenor Sax, in the following tip-openings:
7* / .105", 7** / .108" , 8 / .110", 8* / .115", 9* / 125", 10* / .135"
Each mouthpiece is handmade by master artisan Aaron Drake, and tastefully engraved with a unique serial number, the Bergonzi signature, and Drake Trademark.
Your purchase also includes a Drake Vintage Resin Double Rail ligature, Drake mouthpiece cap, plush drawstring pouch, and carry case.
Shipping of this mouthpiece is complimentary within the Continental USA.
Express International shipping is available as an option at check-out. All purchasers will be notified over email when their particular mouthpiece ships, along with any tracking information, if applicable.
David Sanborn came to prominence in the 1980's and has since been a major influence on the Pop, Contemporary, Jazz, R&B and Crossover genres. His distinctive tone on the alto saxophone is unmistakable. Sanborn's sound is the reason why he is one of the most successful and prolific saxophone players of recent times.
David commissioned Aaron to make him a custom mouthpiece that would measure up to his exacting standards and deliver winning performances; whether on stage or in the studio. The Aaron Drake David Sanborn Signature model has exceeded expectations.
After the successful launch of the metal version, Drake and Sanborn continued to consult, seeking the next evolution of this mouthpiece, to provide unparalleled playing comfort and new possibilities in the sound. The result is the new Sanborn VR Masters Series model.
This mouthpiece features a unique three-tier baffle design, with a medium, venturi chamber. It is made from Drake's proprietary Vintage Resin material, which is not available anywhere else on the market.
This special mouthpiece is offered in three tip-openings: 6 (.080"), 7 (.085") and 8 (.090"). David Sanborn plays the 8 tip-opening.
The mouthpiece features a very immediate response and precise attack, with just the right amount of resistance to develop rich tonal color and allow total freedom of expression. It is exceptionally free blowing and allows the player to employ a complete range of dynamics, from the bottom to the top of the instrument. It is a powerful, projective mouthpiece, with impeccable intonation and a lush core sound. The full, rich sound presented by the Drake Sanborn Signature mouthpiece far surpasses that of other high-baffle, "power mouthpieces". The Vintage Resin version provides unparalleled playing comfort, incredible projection, evenness of scale and a rich spectrum of tonal characteristics.
"This new Vintage Resin really feels like home to me. It is an extraordinary mouthpiece, with full spectrum tone. The intonation is incredibly precise. It is like nothing I've played before. It is incredibly free-blowing and full. A joy to play."
- David Sanborn
Each mouthpiece is meticulously hand crafted by Aaron Drake. Your purchase includes our innovative Drake Quad Rail Ligature - which allows the reed to vibrate with freedom for ultimate flexibility in shaping your sound. In addition, you will also receive a Rovner L - 1M — flexible ligature.
Shipped with a Drake branded mouthpiece cap, plush drawstring pouch and plastic carrying case.
Shipping of this mouthpiece is complimentary within the Continental USA.
Express International shipping is available as an option at check-out. All purchasers will be notified over email when their particular mouthpiece ships, along with any tracking information, if applicable.
Years in the making, this handmade original by Aaron Drake has become a best-selling design. The New York Jazz incorporates Drake's proprietary Vintage Resin - a material which blends the comfort and durability that hard rubber is traditionally known for, with the performance-enhancing qualities of other materials, including Ceramic.
The NY Jazz Tenor is crafted to encapsulate the spirit of New York jazz and create a "go-to" piece that you will take on gigs or into the studio, time and time again. Known and loved for its flexibility and power, this mouthpiece has a sweet, core tone with projection on tap. It is at home in the straight-ahead jazz genre, but can deliver the pop and sizzle needed for Pop / Contemporary, R&B and Funk as well. Articulation and expression are aided by the instant, brilliant response of the New York Jazz.
This is a very balanced design, featuring a medium / large chamber and rollover baffle. Each mouthpiece bears its own unique serial number and is tastefully engraved with the Drake and NY Jazz trademarks.
Your purchase includes the revolutionary Drake Quad-Point Ligature for maximum reed response and resonance over the entire range of the instrument. Also includes a Drake plush drawstring mouthpiece pouch, replaceable bite pads and transparent carrying case.
Each mouthpiece is handmade to order by Aaron Drake.After a 7 year hiatus from making metal mouthpieces we are happy to announce several new models starting with the “Studio Jazz” alto model.
This mouthpiece is an original design which features a rollover baffle and a medium chamber. The baffle and floor contour are specifically calibrated to offer flexibility with outstanding control and projection. The versatility of this design enables each player to create their own sound. Wether you are playing lead alto, R&B, or funk, you will find this mouthpiece can deliver!
Each mouthpiece is hand faced and hand finished by master craftsman Aaron Drake. These mouthpieces are milled from brass and sterling silver plated.
Each mouthpiece includes both a Drake Quad Point Ring ligature and a Rovner ligature, a Drake cap, 3 addition mouthpiece patches as well as a velvet pouch and carry case.
Drake Mouthpieces presents the "Son of Slant" - a new true large chamber mouthpiece for Soprano. This design was inspired by fine examples of the legendary Otto Link Slant model, which has enjoyed immense popularity for decades. Drake has contributed thoughtful design innovations, to aid stability and pitch, while offering greater projection. The Son of Slant incorporates a raised and extended floor slope, perfectly defined, under-cut side walls, a large chamber - larger than the shank diameter - and a meticulously contoured roll-over baffle. The result is a Soprano Saxophone mouthpiece with an astonishingly warm, deep voice, a broader dynamic range and full freedom of expression for the player.
The Son of Slant Soprano Mouthpiece is available in the following tip openings: 5 - .055", 6 - .060", 7 - .065", 8 - .070"
In 2014 David commissioned Aaron to make him a custom mouthpiece that would measure up to his exacting standards and deliver winning performances; whether on stage or in the studio. The Aaron Drake David Sanborn Signature model has exceeded expectations.
Each Sanborn model mouthpiece is precision-milled and meticulously hand-finished to be an exact reproduction of David’s own Drake mouthpiece, which he has been performing exclusively with since 2014.
This Aaron Drake design was accomplished in direct consultation with David Sanborn, and influenced by several of Drake’s earlier designs. It is also inspired by some of Sanborn’s most beloved vintage mouthpieces. The result is a mouthpiece that helped to write the next chapter in Sanborn’s sound, and can now help you write your own story.
Each piece is hand-crafted. After milling, there is extensive hand work on the blank. The chamber, baffle and facing are all hand worked and finished to exacting tolerances. The result is a mouthpiece that offers total consistency with impeccable artistry.
The Sanborn model incorporates a three-tiered baffle design with a medium, Venturi chamber. It is available in three tip-openings: 6 (.080"), 7 (.085") and 8 (.090"). All of the mouthpiece and baffle contour ratios are adjusted for each tip opening to ensure total consistency in feel.
David Sanborn personally plays the number 8 tip opening.
The mouthpiece features a very immediate response and precise attack, with just the right amount of resistance to develop rich tonal color and allow total freedom of expression. It is exceptionally free blowing and allows the player to employ a complete range of dynamics, from the bottom to the top of the instrument. It is a powerful, projective mouthpiece, with impeccable intonation and a lush core sound. The full, rich sound presented by the Drake Sanborn Signature mouthpiece far surpasses that of other high-baffle, "power mouthpieces".
Each mouthpiece has a satin finished that is sterling silver plated and engraved with a unique serial number. Limited Production. Includes the Drake "Quad-Point" ligature, Drake Cap, Rovner Ligature, Velvet pouch, and Carry Case
About the Drake "Quad-Point" Ligature
The Drake “Quad Point” ligature is custom designed for the new David Sanborn mouthpiece to sit near the end of the table, Dave’s signature placement. This ligature position allows full reed fiber activation and maximizes resonance and responsiveness. The Quad Point refers to 4 touch points on the reed. Tested and approved by David Sanborn.
David Sanborn Mouthpiece Development History
In 2013 David invited me to meet after his concert in San Antonio Texas. David expressed his need for a mouthpiece that could replace the mouthpiece he played for many years. From this initial meeting I began making prototype mouthpieces for David to try, and within several months we landed on a design that David liked. Not only liked, but a mouthpiece that could be his number one piece. In 2014 Dave switched and began playing exclusively on his Drake mouthpiece.
Several years have passed since then, and now David and I have decided to offer this mouthpiece as the David Sanborn model.
