David Mann’s Tenor Saxophone Robusto Blues Transcription

Here’s another killin’ blues transcription I have been working on. This is 14 choruses of a swingin’ blues that David Mann recorded as a demo for the 10mFan Robusto hard rubber mouthpiece last year.  As soon as I heard this clip I put it on my list of solos to transcribe.  There are lots of great ideas and lines in this solo that you could spend months integrating into your own playing.  Dave does a great job combining a bluesy soulful sound with some incredible double-time modern sounding lines.

I first heard David Mann back in the late 80’s when I got to Berklee College of Music.  Somewhere along the line,  I stumbled upon a tape recording of the New England Conservatory Big Band in concert.  I was mainly an alto player back then and the lead alto player in the big band recording really caught my attention.  They announced his name “David Mann”.  Ever since then I have been a fan of his playing and career.

David Mann

Here’s a short bio of Dave that I found on the internet:

Fresh out of the New England Conservatory of Music and new on the New York scene, David launched his solo career in the formative days of contemporary Jazz with the popular “Games” (1987) and “Insight” (1989) on the Island/Antilles label. Along with his brother, bassist Ned Mann, came the 1993 release of The Mann Brothers “Mann to Mann” on DMP Records. In 2001, David released “Touch” on N-Coded Music, which showcased his full range of abilities as a composer, producer, programmer, and of course as a saxophonist. Named “one of the best albums of the year” and “debut artist of the year” by Jazztrax, “Touch” finds David in fine company, teaming up with Bob James, Chris Botti, Chuck Loeb and Chieli Minuchi. Along with working on his own albums, David has become an increasingly accomplished composer and producer, working with such artists as Wayman Tisdale, Nelson Rangell, Steve Cole, Kim Waters, Point of Grace, and Rachel Z. In 2001 alone, David scored two #1 NAC singles (with Wayman Tisdale and Steve Cole).

David has performed and recorded with many of the biggest names in music, including Tower of Power (1993-1996), James Taylor, Paul Simon, Michael Jackson, Gil Evans, Pat Metheny, Sting, Madonna, Chaka Khan, George Michael, Billy Joel, Lyle Lovett, Bob James, Linda Eder, Liza Minnelli, Patti Austin, Ivan Lins, Michael McDonald, Alicia Keys, Vanessa Williams, Bette Midler, Michael Bolton, Chieli Minucci, Luther Vandross, BB King, Phish, Spyro Gyra, Sergio Mendes, Bobby McFerrin, Leni Stern, Elements, Miles Evans Orchestra, Ricky Martin, Chuck Loeb, Special EFX, Donnie and Marie Osmond, Al Jarraeu, Rob Mathes, Club 1600, Whitney Houston and George Russell. He also can be heard on many TV themes and jingles, including those for Monday Night Football, ABC News Nightline, NBA on TBS, The Early Show with Bryant Gumbel, Later Today, 20/20, 48 Hours and Super Bowl XXIV on ABC. Movie credits include “Lucky Numbers,” “Any Given Sunday,” “Shaft 2,” “The Mask” and “Scrooged.” David has performed as a soloist with the Boston Pops and the National Symphony and has toured extensively throughout the world.

David Mann Robusto Blues Bb (14 choruses)

David Mann Robusto Blues C (14 choruses)

David Mann is using the 10mFan Robusto hard rubber tenor mouthpiece on this clip.  I think he sounds amazing on this mouthpiece.  It’s the perfect blend of a full fat tenor sound mixed with some edge and brightness to give a modern sound to his tone.  The mouthpiece doesn’t sound thin or too edgy at all to my ears but perfect when Dave is playing it……….

If you are interested in the Robusto mouthpiece you can contact  Mark Sepinuck on his website at 10mfan.com.  Mark is a great guy to deal with and can steer you in the right direction.      Steve