Cannonball Musical Instruments

Last updated
Cannonball Musical Instruments
TypeMusical Instrument Manufacturer
Industry Musical instruments
Founded1996
FounderTevis and Sheryl Laukat
Headquarters Sandy, Utah
Area served
Global
Products Woodwind instruments, Brass instruments
Website http://cannonballmusic.com

Cannonball Musical Instruments is a manufacturer of saxophones, clarinets, trumpets, flutes, trombones, and musical instrument accessories. The company was founded in 1996 by musicians Tevis and Sheryl Laukat, and is based in Sandy, Utah. [1] Cannonball specializes in professional, handmade, and uniquely "acoustically hand customized" instruments. [2] [3]

Contents

Saxophones

Cannonball Musical Instruments first began as a saxophone manufacturer. Cannonball saxophones in current production are student Alcazar, intermediate Sceptyr, and professional Big Bell Stone Series, Vintage Series, and Key Artist Series models, [4] are made in a variety of finishes including The Brute (aged brass), Raven (iced black), Mad Meg (bare brass), and Hotspur (iced black and iced silver). [5] [6] [7]

Historical list of saxophone models

Hand-engraved models

Most professional Cannonball saxophone models are hand engraved at the Utah facility, and are categorized as Unlimited or Limited. [8]

Unlimited
  • Gerald Albright signature soprano, alto, and tenor models feature hand engraving on the bell, bow, body, and key guards, including a pair of golf clubs as a nod to one of Albright's hobbies.
  • Vintage Reborn soprano, alto and tenor models are engraved with a traditional-style flower design.
  • Big Bell Stone Series models produced since early 2013 (excluding Raven and Hotspur) are hand-engraved instead of laser-engraved. [9]
  • Key Artist altos and tenors
Limited

A limited hand-engraving series for alto and tenor Vintage Reborn Series saxophones is made concurrently with the unlimited engravings. Chronologically, the limited engraving series to date are:

  • Lady Godiva
  • Sea Dog
  • Falcon
  • Empire
  • 20th Anniversary [10]

The first Pete Christlieb signature Vintage Series models were a limited edition sporting an engraving motif of a drag racer emitting smoke and flames to portray one of Christlieb's interests. [11] Following the limited series, these Signature models were engraved with an unlimited flower design, and were eventually replaced by the unlimited Vintage Reborn series.

Trumpets

After about a decade of manufacturing saxophones, Cannonball introduced a trumpet line. [12] Cannonball trumpets currently in production include professional Artist Series, Big Bell Stone Series, and Lynx; semi-professional Sceptyr; and student Alcazar.

Professional models

42 Artist Series

Made in the US and introduced in 2014, Cannonball's Artist Series trumpets include 42 (Bb), 42C (C), and 779 (flugelhorn) in various finishes. These received multiple industry awards soon after their release. [13] [14]

Big Bell Stone Series

There are two professional models of Big Bell Stone Series trumpets. The Big Bell 725 series has a 4.921" (125mm) bell, and the Bavarian Lion reverse leadpipe 789RL series has a 5.315" (135mm) bell. Both have a medium-large 0.459" (11.66mm) bore and are hand-built in Germany. [15]

Lynx

The Lynx 688LX-S series, also made in Germany, is a pro model designed for lead trumpet players with a unique leadpipe, 4.803" (122mm) bell, and medium-large 0.459" (11.66mm) bore. [16]

Other models

A silver-plated semi-professional model, the Sceptyr, was added in 2014. [17] The student model Alcazar trumpet was introduced in 2013, with availability limited to lacquer finish. [17]

Clarinets

Cannonball Arezzo clarinets were added in 2008, [18] and include student Zeloso, semi-pro Fiore, professional Veloce, and premium professional Piacere models. [19] Cannonball also produces various designs of clarinet barrels and bells in cocobolo and grenadilla. [20]

Flutes

Cannonball introduced its full line of Mio flutes in 2013, including professional, intermediate, and student C flutes; professional and student piccolos; alto flutes; and bass flutes. [21] [22] [23] Intermediate and solid-silver professional Mio flutes are supplied with both a standard silver-plated crown and a "Royal Crown" made of titanium with an inlaid dome-shaped stone. [24] [25] [26]

Patents

Cannonball owns many design patents and utility patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, protecting its innovations such as the Fat Neck and the use of semi-precious stones. [27] [28]

Artists

Cannonball instruments are endorsed by over 150 musicians [29] such as:

The Cannonball Band

To show their company is run by musicians, [35] Cannonball owners and staff compose, record, and produce music videos of live and studio recordings. Songs are composed by CEO Sheryl Laukat, artists Vince Norman and Kris Johnson, and others such as Gordon Goodwin. Performances feature President Tevis Laukat; staff Ryan Lillywhite, Randal Clark, Daron Bradford, Ryan Laukat, and Howard Summers; and various guest musicians and artists. [36]

In January 2013, the Band performed with other Cannonball artists at the Cannonball Artist NAMM Jam hosted by Gerald Albright in conjunction with the NAMM Show. [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffet Crampon</span> French wind musical instrument manufacturer

Buffet Crampon SAS is a French manufacturer of wind instruments based in Mantes-la-Ville, Yvelines department. The company is the world market leader in the production of clarinets of the Boehm system. Its subsidiary, Buffet Crampon Deutschland GmbH, founded in 2010 and based in Markneukirchen, Vogtland, Sachsen, is the world market leader in the manufacture of brass instruments. To manufacture and sell its products, the BC Group employed around 1000 people worldwide at the beginning of 2021, 470 of them as employees of BC Germany alone. The management of the group has been in the hands of Jérôme Perrod since 2014.

The Buescher Band Instrument Company was a manufacturer of musical instruments in Elkhart, Indiana, from 1894 to 1963. The company was acquired by the H&A Selmer Company in 1963. Selmer retired the Buescher brand in 1983.

<i>3 Compositions of New Jazz</i> 1968 studio album by Anthony Braxton

3 Compositions of New Jazz is the debut album by Anthony Braxton released in 1968 on the Delmark label. It features performances by Braxton, violinist Leroy Jenkins and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith with pianist Muhal Richard Abrams appearing on two tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald Albright</span> American jazz saxophonist

Gerald Albright is an American jazz saxophonist. He earned Grammys for 24/7 in 2012 and Slam Dunk in 2014 and has been nominated for New Beginnings in 2008 and for Sax for Stax in 2009.

Leblanc, Inc. was a musical instruments manufacturing company based in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The company was a woodwind instrument manufacturer known mainly for its clarinets. In 2004 the firm was sold to Conn-Selmer, a division of Steinway Musical Instruments. As a result, Leblanc ceased to exist as an independent operation, becoming a brand.

<i>Long Yellow Road</i> (Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band album) 1975 studio album by Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band

Long Yellow Road is the second album by the Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band. It was named Best Jazz Album of the year by Stereo Review magazine. In 1976, the album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Performance by a Big Band.

<i>Miles Davis & Gil Evans: The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings</i> 1996 box set by Miles Davis and Gil Evans

Miles Davis & Gil Evans: The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings is a box set of music by jazz musicians Miles Davis and Gil Evans originally released on CD in 1996 and remastered and re-released in 2004. It collects work from 1957 through 1968 at Columbia Records recording studios.

<i>Desire</i> (Tom Scott album) 1982 studio album by Tom Scott

Desire is an album by jazz musician Tom Scott, recorded live to two tracks on June 30 and July 1, 1982, in Hollywood.

<i>Domination</i> (Cannonball Adderley album) 1965 studio album by Cannonball Adderley

Domination is an album by jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley released on the Capitol label featuring performances by Adderley with an orchestra conducted by Oliver Nelson. The CD release added the bonus track "Experience in E" composed by Joe Zawinul and originally released on the 1970 album The Cannonball Adderley Quintet & Orchestra.

<i>New Orleans Suite</i> 1970 studio album by Duke Ellington

New Orleans Suite is a studio album by the American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington, recorded and released on the Atlantic label in 1970. The album contains the final recordings of longtime Ellington saxophonist Johnny Hodges, who died between the album's two recording sessions. The album won a Grammy Award in 1971 for Best Jazz Performance by a Big Band.

<i>Super Hits</i> (Miles Davis album) 2001 greatest hits album by Miles Davis

Super Hits is a greatest hits album from Miles Davis. Released in 2001, it reached #22 on Billboard's Jazz Albums chart.

Herbert Couf was an American clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, music store owner, music instrument manufacturer executive, and an importer of music instruments. Couf had been the principal clarinetist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Paul Paray until he retired to open Royal Music Center and commit his full attention to the business of music.

<i>Creative Orchestra Music 1976</i> 1976 studio album by Anthony Braxton

Creative Orchestra Music 1976 is an album by American jazz saxophonist and composer Anthony Braxton recorded in 1976 and released on the Arista label. The album was subsequently included on The Complete Arista Recordings of Anthony Braxton released by Mosaic Records in 2008.

Antigua Winds is a manufacturer of woodwind and brass instruments, including saxophones, clarinets, trumpets, flutes, and musical instrument accessories. It was founded in 1991 by musician and educator Fred Hoey in San Antonio, Texas. Antigua Winds specializes in professional and student instruments.

<i>Snowfall on the Sahara</i> 1999 studio album by Natalie Cole

Snowfall on the Sahara is a studio album by American singer Natalie Cole. It was released by Elektra Records on June 22, 1999, in the United States.

Clare Loveday is a South African contemporary classical music composer.

<i>Man of Many Parts</i> 1957 studio album by Buddy Collette

Man of Many Parts is an album by multi-instrumentalist and composer Buddy Collette recorded at sessions in 1956 and released on the Contemporary label.

The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen is an album that won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance in 1986. The album consists of big band songs arranged by Tommy Newsom, Bill Holman, and Dick Lieb performed by members of the band from The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The band is conducted by trumpeter Doc Severinsen.

References

  1. ↑ Enright, Ed (August 2007). "Cannonball's Ascent". Music Inc. Magazine: 26.
  2. ↑ Warchol, Glen (16 November 2003). "Quality is instrumental to Utah business' success". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. E6.
  3. ↑ Sollitto, Zach (May 2014). "What to Look For in Today's Professional Model Saxophones". Downbeat: 80.
  4. ↑ Cannonball saxophone models webpage
  5. ↑ Jazzwise Magazine, retrieved 25 September 2009
  6. ↑ "Cannonball saxophone finishes webpage". Archived from the original on 2009-09-22. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  7. ↑ Phillips, Zach (May 2010). "Brute Force". Music Inc. Magazine: 99.
  8. ↑ "Cannonball Saxophone Tour - Engraving webpage". Archived from the original on 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  9. ↑ Cannonball Hand Engraving webpage
  10. ↑ "Cannonball Limited Edition 20th Anniversary Saxophone Models". SBO Magazine: 35. January 2016.
  11. ↑ "Pete Christlieb Bio webpage". Archived from the original on 2012-03-15. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  12. ↑ "Sax maker Cannonball adds Stone Series Pro trumpets". Music Trades Magazine. June 2005.
  13. ↑ "Editor's Choice Awards". Music Inc.: 83. March 2014.
  14. ↑ "Best of the NAMM Show 2014". Downbeat: 72. April 2014.
  15. ↑ "Bavarian Lion's Dark Roar". Downbeat: 84. April 2013.
  16. ↑ "Let's Hear it for the Band!". The Music Trades: 76. September 2013.
  17. 1 2 "Cannonball trumpets webpage". Archived from the original on 2009-09-25. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  18. ↑ "Cannonball Attacks a Bigger Battlefield". Music Trades Magazine. May 2008.
  19. ↑ "Cannonball clarinets webpage". Archived from the original on 2009-10-04. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  20. ↑ Cannonball clarinet barrels & bells webpage
  21. ↑ "Flute Expansion". Downbeat: 70. April 2013.
  22. ↑ Cannonball blog: flute introduction
  23. ↑ "Introducing Mio". Music Inc.: 55. June 2013.
  24. ↑ Mio flutes webpage
  25. ↑ "Retail Holiday Gift Guide". The Music Trades: 77. September 2013.
  26. ↑ "Gear: Pro Flute". Music Inc. Magazine: 76. August 2007.
  27. ↑ "Patents". Salt Lake Tribune. 21 July 2009. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  28. ↑ Patents.com, retrieved 25 September 2009
  29. ↑ "Cannonball artists webpage". Archived from the original on 2009-09-01. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  30. ↑ "Gerald Albright FAQ webpage". Archived from the original on 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  31. ↑ YouTube video of Branford playing Cannonball Alto
  32. ↑ "NSCQ links webpage". Archived from the original on 2009-04-15. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  33. ↑ "Raul Agraz equipment webpage". Archived from the original on 2010-11-16. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  34. ↑ Winston Byrd artist page
  35. ↑ blog introducing Cannonball Run song
  36. ↑ Cannonball YouTube playlist of Cannonball Band songs
  37. ↑ "Cannonball Musical Instruments and Gerald Albright Bring a Taste of NAMM to Spaghettini". Smooth Jazz News: 24. February 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.