Trade Regrets: Bobby Dukoff

Legendary mouthpiece maker, Bobby Dukoff, passed away on May 3. He was 93 years old.

Dukoff was a big band saxophone player during the swing era when he looked for ways of improving his sound. While working for the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Bobby began playing a mouthpiece that he designed and crafted himself, which showcased his style. Soon other musicians were asking for the mouthpiece and the Bobby Dukoff Mouthpiece Company was formed. Bobby hired Nicolas Hernandez to work in the shop and soon Bobby taught the trade to Hernandez, who became president of the company in the early 2000s.

Bobby Dukoff suffered a stroke before his NAMM Oral History scheduled interview in March 2012. His employees and his wife gathered around him to tell his story for him. Bobby’s webclip was created using three interviews: his wife Jeanne Dukoff, Dukoff Mouthpiece president Nicolas Hernandez and Dukoff Mouthpiece product specialist Craig Richard, all while Bobby listened in.

You can view Bobby Dukoff’s NAMM Oral History video, here.