Al Cass Mouthpieces USED by Dizzy Gillespie. Two of the most documented used by Dizzy Gillespie from the 1970’s until the 1990’s, on stage and albums during this time period. If you want to know and feel what one of the greatest trumpet players of all time used, this is what he used. For your museum collection. Mouthpieces #43 and #47, as documented in Al Cass notebook, these were Dizzy’s favorite Al Cass mouthpieces. They are based on the 2-24A Al Cass, but have been customized for Diz. Probably the most documented pieces in the world outside museum collections and quite possibly superior to those seen in museums. The piece displayed on Diz’ trumpet in the Smithsonian is a piece Diz “gave up”. These are the two Al Cass pieces Diz couldn’t live without. I forget the exact amount, but 86K comes to mind. These mouthpieces may be a deal because they were more important to Diz than his horn. There is a story in Diz’ 75th anniversary CD about Al Cass mouthpieces told by the great John Faddis. Dizzy and Roy Eldridge were performing a battle of the trumpets with the iconic pianist Oscar Peterson, when during the intermission, Oscar switched mouthpieces on the two superstars. When they came back on stage, neither player realized what had occurred because both performers used Al Cass mouthpieces and they looked similar. Because neither player could play a note! Both players were baffled! It wasn’t until Oscar called his fellow jazz masters over to the piano and switched back the mouthpieces, that the event could continue. This is a testament to the importance of the mouthpiece to the player. Players can pretty much use any trumpet, but it’s NOT the trumpet that they care so much about, it’s the mouthpieces, because they are customized for each player. Roy Eldridge ended up putting his Al Cass on a necklace so it would be with him at all time! They are PERSONAL to each player. (what was done to the trumpet other than in Diz’ case, bending the bell upwards). That actually happened by accident. Someone sat on Diz’ horn at a party and when he tried playing it as a joke, he ended up liking it because he could hear himself better. This is quite ironic because the only reason why Diz tried an Al Cass mouthpiece was because one night Diz accidentally dropped his “other” mouthpiece down a wash basin drain before a gig and had no choice but to try the Al Cass mouthpiece kicking around in his trumpet case that Roy Eldridge gave him. (I believe that piece was a 1-28 or 1-29) Once Al Cass got to know Diz after that gig, Cass made Diz his own mouthpiece and the “2” series was created. (hence 2-24A) 2 is the series, 24 is the throat and A is a special backbone made for Diz. These are quite possibly the most significant Al Cass mouthpieces made, because Dizzy was Al Cass’ #1 client who made history together. It was Dizzy Gillespie who asked Al Cass to make a valve oil. The valve oil used throughout the world. The oil was CUSTOMIZED for Dizzy Gillespie’ use and style. After all, he was was possibly the fastest and most radical of all jazz trumpeters. With the aid of his Al Cass mouthpieces and oil. The results of a lifetime’s work by whom many PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS consider the Stradivari of Brass. He is known as the Stradivari, because like Stradivari, Al Cass made the musicians life easier. Note: The photo shown is older and filed on my computer. The actual document may not be located easily and may not come with the document, however it will come with the two tags as they are attached to the mouthpieces. Those new mouthpieces you see people put out these days, are NOT what Diz used, and neither are they based on these two mouthpieces offered here. So if you really want to know what Diz used. I have had these for a # of years and they are scanned for my future use and reside in my personal collection. They really should be on display in a museum setting, or put to use by a professional musician who would consider price, trivial and can “handle” the Diz “Cup&Throat” extremities. Dizzy earned MILLIONS playing these mouthpieces. How many Down Beat polls did he win? ! ? These mouthpieces are quite difficult to control, using them will not guarantee you will do the same as they are customized FOR Dizzy Gillespie! It is well documented that Dizzy used to say “These mouthpieces play themselves”. There was a reason. He wasn’t joking. I have played them and I can tell you from my own experience, they are quite a treat. They helped me do things I never thought I could do. I call it “morphing”. Honestly, I can’t control what I want to do. They really do play themselves to a certain extent. A photocopy of the page in Al Cass notebook specifying these two pieces is included. I will also write and sign a letter of authenticity if you wish. And you will own them. Not for the faint at heart. The item “USED by Dizzy Gillespie Al Cass mouthpieces THE REAL THING! (2-24A) 43/47 7/11″ is in sale since Monday, February 19, 2018. This item is in the category “Musical Instruments & Gear\Brass\Trumpets”. The seller is “funnymaniac” and is located in Milford, Massachusetts. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Brand: Al Cass
- Model: 2-24A
- Type: trumpet
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Skill Level: ICONIC SUPERSTAR
