John Coffey Mouthpieces - Title corrected

[dukesboneman]

I`ve heard of these and seen ONE. Wayne Andre was playing one when I had him in as a guest soloist
I read somewhere that that`s what Bob Brookmeyer played on for years.
Does anyone know any more about these?
They would seem to be rarer than an Altmont

[hyperbolica]

I studied with him in the '80s and only remember him playing a 6 1/2 al I think on his 36b. I'd imagine that anything he designed might have been a little small. He was never impressed by large equipment

[DonH]

He played a Bach 4 on a Bach 36( he also had a Bach 34 that was stolen.

[chromebone]

When I studied with him in the late 90’s, he was playing a gold plated Schilke 52 on a 36 with a Thayer. I remember going to his apartment in Stamford for a lesson once and he showed me the above mentioned Bach 4 and his Mount Vernon 4G that was made for him by Bach when he played a large bore horn. It was shallower than the modern 4G’s, closer to a Greg Black4G/5G cup.

[Redthunder]

I read somewhere that that`s what Bob Brookmeyer played on for years.

Are you sure you're not thinking of the John Coffey model mouthpiece? That's what I always remember reading Brookmeyer played on.

[Doug Elliott]

And the John Coffey is definitely what Wayne Andre used.

[griffinben]

I have 2 John Coffey mouthpieces. Both are small shank and marked 4, which roughly corresponds with Bach rim sizes. The cups on them are radically different. I'd love to find smaller sizes.

[dukesboneman]

Yes,
I`m sorry I was mistaken on the Name.

[hyperbolica]

Yes,
I`m sorry I was mistaken on the Name.

Ok, yeah, I couldn't imagine anyone being interested in Swallow's equipment choices. I have a friend who knew John Coffey. I can ask if he has any stories about his equipment he can tell (in public)

[chromebone]

Why shouldn’t anyone be interested in John Swallow’s equipment choices? He was a truly great player by any standard.

[hyperbolica]

Why shouldn’t anyone be interested in John Swallow’s equipment choices? He was a truly great player by any standard.

Just that he wasn't as interested in equipment as what you could do with it. He didn't care what I showed up with, as long as I could make it perform. Whether he played 79h, 36b or 42b, he didn't make a scene about it. He was more about the music and the performances and the techniques he taught. My lessons with him paid no attention to my equipment (after he took a paper clip and ripped the springs out of my 88h slide because the sound drove him crazy.)

I think he'd prefer his legacy to be his playing and teaching more than his hardware.

[chromebone]

I guess that’s my point. I studied with him too; his response to trying different equipment questions were “just try practicing”.

When I studied with John, the trombone world was full on in the middle of “heavier and bigger elephant gun equipment is better” wars. Megatone mouthpieces, backbores drilled out on a Halliburton Gulf of Mexico oil rig, 3g-1g sized rims because Joe Alessi played one; heavyweight red brass bells with extra lead thrown in for good measure plus free physical therapy for the resultant shoulder injuries...
But John paid no heed; style above all; style determined technique. I loved the sound he got on his 36.

In the end, he has proved to be right: players are back to lighter bells, rotor valves are back, you can show up to an audition with an 88h and a Schilke 51 and no one will give you the side eye if you sound good. Style above all.

[ngrinder]

I have one. Feels like a bit larger than a 6.5 and very comfy.

[PhillyG]

In never knew the big guy on the GREEN MILE got into making brass mouthpieces. Who knew????