Carl Allen Signature Drumsticks by Vater
Allen’s diamond-sharp sense of swing has elevated sessions by Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean, Benny Green, Art Farmer, Christian McBride and so many other elite jazzers. Vater understands this and has honored the still-unsung drummer with a new Player’s Design stick, made of American Hickory and measuring 16 inches in length and a bit over 7A, with a pointed, long tip. vater.com
Jazzin’ the Blues Book
Pick up a copy of this Mel Bay book for your favorite promising young piano student who is just getting into jazz and blues. Written by Vince Corozine, with input from Charlie Freeman, Jazzin’ features instruction on 15 original blues tunes—a versatile array of grooves and vibes, from barrelhouse stride to jazz-blues. Recordings of 40 examples are included via download, and come with and without the lead-piano part for play-along practice. melbay.com | Check the price on Amazon!
Theo Wanne “Fire” Alto Mouthpiece
This powerful, projective alto mouthpiece, crafted for jazz settings as well as R&B, rock and smooth-jazz, introduces Theo Wanne’s Elements Series—still made in the U.S. but available at a much lower price point than the master craftsman’s other gems. The design boasts flat side walls, a long step-baffle, a small chamber and reticulated 24K-gold plating, and the product ships with Theo’s special two-rail, single-screw ligature. theowanne.com
ROLI Songmaker Kit
If you read the conversation on production earlier in the issue, you know that today’s young track-makers need to be able to work wherever and whenever inspiration strikes. Meet ROLI’s new Songmaker Kit, a small, savvy package combining the brand’s Seaboard Block and Lightpad Block M controllers, its Loop Block and a software bundle that ROLI says is worth more than 400 bucks. roli.com | Check the price on Amazon!
Second-Generation Allen Vizzutti Trumpet by Yamaha
Vizzutti, no stranger to great jazz bands, symphony orchestras or Hollywood studios, is renowned for his versatility, and his latest Yamaha signature trumpet, the YTR-9335VSII, follows suit. It features several welcome advancements and refinements, including those in the leadpipe and bell design, and its brass piston stems and resin valve guides offer fluid, high-speed playability. Gold-plated top and bottom valve caps and black mother-of-pearl finger buttons complete a handsome instrument. usa.yamaha.com
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