One of Canada’s jazz stars has jumped into the saxophone-making business.
This week, Qualicum Beach’s Phil Dwyer — a nationally known saxophonist and pianist — awaited his first shipment of 100 new saxophones to clear customs in Vancouver. Once these Taiwan-manufactured instruments are assembled, they’ll be ready to sell.
And, quite possibly, the new SeaWind saxes will make Canadian music history.
Dwyer’s business partner is Qualicum’s Claudio Fantinato, a longtime friend and well-known instrument technician. Dwyer believes their new company, SeaWind Musical Instruments Inc., is the only outfit in Canada assembling and selling saxophones.
“That’s as far as I know,” the 47-year-old said. “ I don’t know of anyone else that’s doing this right now.”
On Friday night in Victoria, he’ll show off a prototype SeaWind saxophone. Dwyer will team up with multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson for a duo concert at Glenlyon Norfolk School.
He says the SeaWind saxophones offer an unusually rich sound. Dwyer attributes that to the special alloy composition of the brass (its exact composition is a trade secret). The first batch of saxes, the so-called Phil Dwyer Edition, boasts an engraving designed by First Nations artist Jeremy Lee Humpherville. The engraving depicts Luna, the famous killer whale from Nootka Sound.
Dwyer says the idea of starting a saxophone company was hatched after he realized his favourite saxophones, made by the Selmer company, would someday wear out. (Some of his Selmers are from the early ’50s.) He talked to his friend Fantinato, who last summer proposed starting their own company.
Selmer saxophones are widely considered top-of-the-line instruments. “We went into it with the understanding I needed to find something at least as good as what I’m playing now,” Dwyer said.
In October, the pair flew to Taiwan, which has a large instrument-making industry. They visited various saxophone factories, trying out dozens of instruments.
“I finally found one that really spoke to me. We took that core model — like you would with a car, I guess — and started looking at the options. We had a list of options that we wanted,” he said.
They discovered that one particular brass alloy produced the best sound. Later, Dwyer visited the National Palace Museum in Taipei City. He was suprised to learn the alloy they’d chosen has the same amount of copper — “within one per cent” — as an ancient Chinese bell renowned for its resonance.
Dwyer and Fantinato instructed the Taiwanese factory manufacturing the saxophones to customize certain parts to their specifications. The fact that Fantinato hand-assembles the instruments also adds to the uniqueness of the SeaWind brand.
The tenor saxophones retail for $3,500; the altos sell for $3,300. Although SeaWind is still negotiating with stores such as Long & McQuade regarding distribution, they can be ordered directly from the website seawindmusic.com.
Dwyer and Fantinato believe the first batch of saxes will become collectibles. Those ordering online can even request a specific serial number.
“We’ve got people who want to get the horns just for the art on the bell,” Dwyer said. “In a sense, it’s like you’re buying a limited-edition print.”
The musician — who has played with everyone from Aretha Franklin to Charlie Haden — hopes SeaWind will become successsful enough to fund another new venture.
Dwyer has applied to study law at the University of Victoria. If his application is successful, he’s start in September.
“I got a couple of itches that need scratching. And one of them is to be a s--t-disturbing environemental lawyer,” he said with a laugh.
Where: Glenlyon Norfolk School
When: Friday, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $20/$10 advance ($25/$15 at the door) at Tom Lee Music, Long & McQuade, Larsen Music, Lyle’s Place or ticketbud.com/events
The Don Thompson/Phil Dwyer Duo will perform April 13 in Parksville, April 15 in Powell River, April 17 in Vancouver, April 19 in Mill Bay, April 20 on Denman Island and April 21 in Colwood. For more information go to phildwyer.com.
