The two newest additions to the GIANT Tenor range. Working with world-renown Tenor Saxophonist George Garzone, the company has developed the GIANT Tenor 9* and 10* models both of which will be launched as George Garzone “Signature” models.
"George Garzone is one of my favorite Sax players and in my opinion one of the greatest Tenor players of all time. He is inarguably one of the greatest living Tenor players today,” says Jody. “Larger tip openings give you more harmonics in the sound and a darker tone. The larger distance allows the reed to vibrate further, generating more harmonics. I knew these characteristics would truly lend themselves to the inherent qualities of the GIANT Tenors but larger tip openings saxophone mouthpieces are more difficult to play and require more control and practice. So I was determined to develop large tip openings to offer in the GIANT range that would be easier to play and working with George I’m proud to say we’ve more than achieved that goal.”
The main way this was accomplished was by using a facing curve that is similar to the curve on one of George Garzone’s old Hard Rubber Link 10* mouthpiece that he used to play many years ago. Essentially it is a shorter facing than you would expect on a large tip opening.
“I've been playing the JodyJazz HR* hard rubber for years and thought I would never look at another mouthpiece, but when Jody invited me to the factory to work with him on the larger tip openings for the new GIANT Tenors, I was intrigued,” said George Garzone. “Many years ago we’d worked together to develop the facing curve on my HR* Tenor 10* and we applied the same principles to the new GIANT Tenor 9* and 10*. Jody's facing curve makes these larger tip openings much easier to play. The metal mouthpiece with the hard rubber shape is the perfect mix for me. The colors in the sound of the GIANT are amazing and I love the way I can lean into it to shape my sound.”
Many people will doubt that they can play a 9* or a 10* but they are so often surprised that it does not require much more energy than their current 8* for example. We encourage you to try the Giant George Garzone Signature Model for yourself.
