Dexter Gordon & the B. Dukoff Hollywood 1949: the legendary jazz sound, finally recreated

A Jazz Legend Reborn

What if you could play the very same mouthpiece as Dexter Gordon?
The one that, throughout the 1950s and 60s, sculpted that immense, deep, and luminous tone — the signature sound of Blue Note’s golden era?

That dream inspired the creation of the new “Hollywood” metal tenor mouthpiece by Les Becs d’Autan — the world’s first high-precision CNC reproduction of the mythical Dukoff Hollywood 1949, famously played by Dexter Gordon himself.

An homage to the golden age of jazz, designed with passion, acoustic precision, and absolute respect for the original sound.

Who Was Dexter Gordon?

Above all, a giant of jazz.
Born on February 27, 1923, in Los Angeles, Dexter Gordon was one of the first tenor saxophonists to translate the language of bebop and hard bop to his instrument.

His playing: a powerful, authoritative breath; a broad, singing phrasing; and a natural elegance — all in a style defined by the “tenor big sound.”
He had a commanding presence that matched his tone: his stature, his posture, everything about him contributed to his sound.

He influenced generations of saxophonists — from John Coltrane to Sonny Rollins and beyond. His impact remains vast, both in jazz and among players still searching for that “true” tone: dark yet clear, cavernous yet articulate.

Dexter’s tone was noble and warm — massive yet airy.
A deeply human sound, almost vocal, forged in part by an exceptional mouthpiece: the Dukoff Hollywood 1949.
It gave him a unique voice — he was the only major saxophonist of the 1950s–60s known to play it.

The Dexter Gordon Sound: Breadth, Clarity, and Emotion

His timbre combined depth and power — a rare balance between strength and warmth.
His sound was big, rich, and full, yet remarkably focused and controlled — equally expressive in the lowest notes and the highest register.
Listeners often said, “He filled the whole room.”
He could whisper with a velvety subtone in his ballads, or project with brilliance and energy in up-tempo pieces.

You can hear it perfectly on his great Blue Note albums:

• Go! (1962)
• A Swingin’ Affair (1962)
• Our Man in Paris (1963)

That sound didn’t come by chance.
It came from a monumental breath, a relaxed embouchure, and a very specific piece of equipment —
the Dukoff Hollywood 1949, one of the most sought-after and valuable vintage tenor mouthpieces (often selling for over €2000 on the collectors’ market).

The Original Dukoff Hollywood: The Holy Grail of Tenor Mouthpieces

Crafted in 1949 by Bobby Dukoff, the Hollywood (2nd version), was produced in only a few hundred copies.
Its acoustic design was truly unique :

• Large, rounded chamber with scooped-out walls, enhancing depth and resonance.
• Short, low baffle, preventing any harshness or excessive brightness in the highs.
• Rounded ceiling, giving the sound focus and precision.
• Thin rails and long facing, offering remarkable flexibility and responsiveness.
• Material: solid brass, amplifying harmonic richness.

Compared to an Otto Link Florida, the Hollywood has a warmer, deeper tone — more centered and more vocal.
The attack remains clear, yet the tone carries a velvety thickness that no other mouthpiece can replicate.

Do not confuse the mouthpiece played by Dexter Gordon — the B. Dukoff Hollywood 1949 — with its 1945 variant (which had a narrower chamber, flat walls, and no baffle), nor with the Stubby or Zimberoff models.
The 1949 Hollywood was the only Dukoff mouthpiece of the era offered with the special “Dexter Gordon” facing, exactly as Dexter himself played it.

Why This Mouthpiece Made History

In the 1950s, Dexter Gordon defined that deep, authoritative, and velvety tone that made every note vibrate with life.
The Hollywood mouthpiece gave him that fluid air column and perfectly balanced resistance — allowing him to move effortlessly from a whisper to a roar.

The Hollywood by Les Becs d’Autan: A Faithful Revival

Today, Les Becs d’Autan brings this legend back to life.
Each Hollywood mouthpiece by Les Becs d’Autan is a 1/100 mm precision reproduction of an original 1949 Hollywood in perfect condition — with no alteration — thanks to a unique process combining:

• 3D modeling and CNC machining,
• Traditional hand refacing,
• Systematic sound testing.

Each piece is:

• Machined from solid brass,
• Gold- or silver-plated,
• Fitted with a white bite plate faithful to the original,
• Individually numbered, and delivered with a certificate of authenticity and custom foam packaging.

The result : a living collector’s piece — as beautiful to play as it is to behold.

Learn more about the story behind Les Becs d’Autan on our “About Us” page.

Playing Sensations

The modern Hollywood offers:

• A full, rich, and vibrant tone,
• Natural projection with no harshness,
• Great expressiveness even at low volume,
• Smooth responsiveness ideal for dynamic nuance,
• Even intonation across the entire range.

It’s a mouthpiece that sings — designed for saxophonists seeking a deep, organic, and inspiring sound, without any compromise in playability.

FAQ – “The Dexter Gordon Sound”

Will playing a Hollywood make me sound like Dexter?

Not entirely. The mouthpiece provides the ideal acoustic conditions for that kind of sound, but it’s your breath and your technique that truly make the difference. However, the Hollywood mouthpiece by Les Becs d’Autan, which is very similar to the one Dexter played, gives you technical conditions close to his tone — an excellent starting point.

Which tip opening should I choose?

Whichever you prefer among 6, 6*, 7, 7*, and 8.

For those looking for the exact setup played by Dexter Gordon, note that he used a 6 / .095″ opening* with a very long special facing and hard reeds (typical of vintage mouthpieces from the 1930s, 40s, and early 50s).

– You can order a 6* with this “Special Dexter Gordon” facing (just mention it in the order comments). Choose this option if you’re comfortable with a playing feel very different from modern medium-length facings and if you’re ready to play slightly harder reeds than usual on a 6*. This setup will get you the closest result to Dexter Gordon’s mouthpiece, though it’s also the most demanding on your embouchure.
– Or you can order a 6* with a standard medium facing (no need to specify in that case). You’ll have the same opening as Dexter Gordon and a very similar tone, with the comfort of a modern mouthpiece that works well with standard medium-strength reeds.

Which reed should I use?

A medium to medium-hard reed, such as La Voz or Alexander, can work well — but it’s a personal choice. The important thing is to keep steady air support and a relaxed embouchure.

What’s the difference compared to an Otto Link Florida STM?

The Florida is broader, more versatile, and a bit softer.
The Hollywood offers a more centered, warmer, and more expressive sound — with perhaps even a bit more power reserve.

What role does the mouthpiece play compared to the instrument itself?

The instrument matters (body, mechanism, adjustment), but often, when a saxophonist is searching for a particular sound, it’s the mouthpiece + reed + embouchure that make the biggest audible difference.
The mouthpiece determines the chamber, facing, opening, and baffle — all key elements shaping a saxophonist’s tone. A relevant example: you can have an excellent saxophone, but with the wrong mouthpiece you won’t get the sound or comfort you’re after.

What should I work on in my technique to sound like Dexter Gordon?

Practice long tones to open up your sound and achieve consistency across all registers. Contrast: be able to play softly and smoothly, then powerfully and forcefully — Dexter mastered both extremes. Imitate Dexter’s solos: listen, transcribe, understand his phrasing, his time feel, his breathing. The gear is only a means — your ear and your feeling are the rest of the journey. Air support and relaxed embouchure: for a big sound, you need a strong air column and a relaxed but stable embouchure.

In summary

• Dexter Gordon’s sound is unique but not unattainable. It comes from well-chosen equipment and solid technique.
• The mouthpiece he used — the Dukoff Hollywood 1949, now faithfully recreated by Les Becs d’Autan — offers the perfect starting point to listen, transcribe solos, and reach that legendary “tenor big sound” of Dexter Gordon.

A limited edition… before becoming a permanent model

The first five units, offered at €699, sold out in just nine days!
Due to high demand, a second limited series of 15 more units has been launched, after which the Hollywood will join the permanent collection.
Each Hollywood mouthpiece is numbered, delivered with its certificate of authenticity, and comes in a custom foam case.

→ Order your HOLLYWOOD model now

You can discover my other models here:

Philippe