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Dennis Esson

Dennis Esson - Endorsing Wedge Artist

Endorsing Artist

"I strongly feel that playing on my Wedge mouthpiece has been a positive and beneficial addition to my musical performance. There is a better core to the sound, increased flexibility and response. In addition I find that the increased embouchure efficiency that the mouthpiece creates allows for a more relaxed and consistent airflow.

I also have to say that working with Dave has been a wonderful experience. The level of customer service is exceptional and his product is wonderful."

Dennis Esson
dennisesson.com
yamaha.ca

 

 

Biography

Since moving to Vancouver in 1980, Dennis Esson has established himself as a highly respected and sought after trombonist for a wide variety of musical endeavours.

He has recorded music for cartoons, movies, jingles and soundtracks in addition to albums with many pop and rock groups such as Stephen Fearing, The Paperboys, Buddy Miles, The Salteens, Veda Hille and others. He has also been in the pit orchestras for Broadway shows such as "Chorus Line", "The Full Monty", and "42nd Street".

As a jazz musician Dennis has recorded numerous C.B.C. sessions as a featured soloist. He is also the lead trombonist with groups such as the "Vancouver Ensemble of Improvisation (VEJI)", "Orquesta Goma Dura", "Jill Townsend Big Band", "Hard Rubber Orchestra" and the "Fred Stride Jazz Orchestra". Some of the musicians he has performed with include Kenny Wheeler, Phil Woods, Eddie Daniels, Marvin Stamm, David Foster, Maynard Ferguson, Natalie Cole, Clark Terry, Bud Shank, and Phil Nimmons. He has appeared and performed at all of the major jazz festivals across Canada.

In addition Dennis was the recipient in 1993 of a Canada Council of the Arts "B" grant to study jazz trombone in New York where he studied with Conrad Herwig, Steve Turre, Benny Powell and Slide Hampton. More recently he resumed his studies and completed a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Orchestral Performance from the University of British Columbia.

As a music educator Dennis has been the Jazz Trombone instructor at Capilano College since 1997 and has been the director of the UBC Jazz Ensemble 2 since 2000. In addition he has been on the faculty of the Courtney Youth Music Center since 2000 and prior to that time he was on the faculty of the Okanagan Summer School of the Arts from 1984-1999.

As an adjudicator Dennis has appeared at many festivals throughout B.C. and western Canada including Kelowna, Edmonton, Whistler, Surrey, Burnaby, and Vancouver. He has also performed clinics and master classes at universities, colleges, and secondary schools throughout Canada.

Dennis is a Yamaha trombone artist and performs and records on the YSL697Z trombone. His mouthpiece is a Bach 6-1/2AL with a Wedge rim.


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Visit his website: dennisesson.com
 

Wedge Heads

Testimonials

"I first bought a used 3CC top and beat up Warburton 8* backbore from the internet to give the Wedge a try. Prior to this I was switching back and forth between a GR 65MX and Yamaha Bobby Shew Jazz for jazz and legit, a Reeves 41SV for shows and Latin work, and a Monette BL2 for lead.

When I got the mouthpiece in the mail I immediately brought it to my monthly small group Latin gig. I played two sets on it and was totally impressed with my ability to play to the top of my range, all night, with a completely even, open sound. More than impressed. I woke up the next day to absolutely no pain, swelling, or bruising, a feeling that was totally new to me. I knew that there was something to this rim shape and I had to find out more.

I called Dr. Dave and we talked for a long time. Prior mouthpieces, musical styles, how he discovered and developed his rim concept, etc. We got on great immediately. I wanted to order a couple pieces, and it turned out he was coming to New York the following week. He came to my gig at Birdland and gave me about 4 mouthpieces, including a 5DC top with a heavy medium backbore to try. I played it the whole gig and loved it! I have never instantly bonded with a line of mouthpieces like this before. Smooth from the bottom to the top of my range and I didn't have to change anything about my playing. Endurance, power, evenness, and intonation have all improved considerably. Two days later we were hanging out in a bar comparing mouthpiece scans in his computer over several beers.

After trying several lead tops and backbores, we're still tweaking the perfect one for me. I am totally happy with a 3CC/8* for jazz combo and classical, the 5DC/heavy medium for shows and big band, a 3FLX for flugel, and we're making a top for lead. All through this, Dave has been nothing but attentive and responsive to my needs. He has a great way of customizing pieces for people that don't come in his line, and his new standard line of pieces are great, too. Every time I practice on the Wedge, I feel my chops getting stronger, and I'm working muscles all the way back to my jaw. I want everyone to know about the Wedge, and I recommend them wholeheartedly. Dave's service can't be beat!"

Matt Hilgenberg

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In Vancouver call 604 250-3670 - Outside Vancouver, call Toll free 1 877 679-3343 (1 877 MPWEDGE)