Behn Artists and Clients

William Bill Hudgins, principal clarinetist of Boston Symphony Orchestra and Behn Artist

Behn VINTAGE and EPIC mouthpieces have taken me to a higher level in my clarinet playing. I have been playing them exclusively since 2008 in the Boston Symphony Orchestra. As principal clarinetist, I not only require a mouthpiece which reliably delivers a good, resonant sound and flawless response, but I want a mouthpiece that will help inspire me as well. Behn’s creations have consistently done that for me, and I believe his unique designs, material, and workmanship carry the key. Behn mouthpieces help me achieve my personal sound and a sound which distinctly carries through Symphony Hall with ease and clarity. I particularly enjoy the fact that I never have to push or force to be heard. Thank you, Brad!

William Hudgins
Principal Clarinet, Boston Symphony Orchestra

BEHN EPIC model HCV mouthpieces, Close facings

A Conversation with Bill Hudgins

Principal Clarinet of Boston Symphony Orchestra

BEHN Artist

Recently, our friend Ed Joffe had the opportunity to interview Bill Hudgins, principal clarinet of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, for his Woodwind Legacy Series. It is a wonderful conversation which allows you to learn more about Bill's musical history and gain some insight about his approach to the clarinet. You also get to hear him play, which is definitely a treat!

To view more videos from Ed Joffe's Woodwind Legacy Series, please check out his website joffewoodwinds.com.

Bill Hudgins plays Behn EPIC HCV mouthpieces and ARIA reeds.

Brad’s mouthpiece artistry is truly unique. Behn EPIC synthesizes vintage mouthpiece sonic sensibilities with the flexibility of response I need. Regardless of whether I use synthetic or organic cane reeds, I get the sound and response I’m listening for. Well done!

Bil Jackson

Soloist

Denver Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony (retired)

Vanderbilt University (retired)

BEHN EPIC mouthpieces, Close facings

Sam Caviezel, Associate Principal and E-flat Clrinetistist of Philadelphia Orchetra and Behn Artist

I've been playing on Behn VINTAGE and EPIC mouthpieces for Bb and Eb clarinets in the Philadelphia Orchestra for years, and I am VERY satisfied. The Philly Orchestra's acoustics need me to play "big" at times and Behn mouthpieces uniquely allow me to do that while maintaining a dolce character of sound, which is very important to me. They articulate easily, with a beautiful shape and good ping, and their legato is smooth and liquid. They blend beautifully with the rest of the orchestra's wind section—but can project an assured and colorful solo voice when necessary with aplomb. In short, I am extremely happy playing Behn mouthpieces, and I admire and respect his dedication and artistry. Thank you Brad!

Sam Caviezel
Associate Principal and E-flat Clarinet,

Philadelphia Orchestra

BEHN EPIC Bb and Eb mouthpieces - close facings

This Mouthpiece is a total game Changer. The combo of super-resonant Rod Rubber and Brad Behn's masterful engineering makes for a mouthpiece that has everything I need - Ease of Play, Clear Articulation, and of course, Incredible Resonance. On a Behn mouthpiece and adjustable barrel, I can hone in on my musical phrasing because I know the equipment will support my technique and intonation. The sound I've always heard in my head is finally a reality.

David Sapadin

NYC Pops Orchestra

BEHN VINTAGE mouthpieces "Dark" model 1.08mm -36

BEHN Haptic Adjustable Barrels - wood overlay

BEHN Aria reeds

During the pandemic, I found Bradford Behn on Facebook. I read about his work on clarinet mouthpieces, barrels, and bells. Keep in mind, up to this point in my life, I was searching for *That* sound (in the mid 80's my teacher Joe Allard sent me to see Everett Matson in Red Banks N.J. - the guru of clarinet mouthpiece refacing.) At that point, I was playing on a Selmer HS* that Everett refaced, and he made that clarinet mouthpiece come alive. Sadly, I dropped it one day while I was teaching at a summer camp, and that was the end of that mouthpiece. Many years later, the search continued with my trying countless clarinet mouthpieces made by everyone in the business, but it just didn't make it for me. That was, of course, until I discovered Bradford Behn! His Rod Rubber, knowledge of facings, interior design, rails, and beds are the best in the world. I finally found *That* sound again. The clarinet sounds amazing, and I am happy with all of my purchases form him. BEHN Mouthpieces are the true crown jewel for the clarinet community.

Martin Giaimo

BEHN EPIC X Model clarinet mouthpiece

EVO Haptic Adjustable Barrel

EVO Hard rubber Bell

Behn Screw Ligature

NYC High School of Performing Arts (Class of '82)

Manhattan School of Music (Class of '86)

Studied with Joe Allard ('82-'86)

NYC Board of Education Music Director (32 years)

Jazz Clarinetist in the Tri-State Area (for the last 30 years)

Brad's equipment helps me relay my inner voice into the music I'm playing. To also have someone as attentive as him to help you find the right set up is just the cherry on top, thank you Brad!

Matthew Rosen

BEHN VINTAGE "Dark" clarinet mouthpiece

Principal Clarinet of the Canton Symphony Orchestra

Second/Eb clarinet with the Akron Symphony Orchestra

Matthew has also performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, the BlueWater Chamber Orchestra and the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra.

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my clarinetist's heart for the joy of playing a Behn EPIC mouthpiece all these years! It is absolutely breathtaking for me the ease with which I am able to produce my sound and articulate and play smoothly in all registers with this amazing tool. I feel that my Behn mouthpiece has enhanced all of my performances and has helped me express myself more directly. It simply responds to that voice in my head. What more could a musician ask for?

Larry Passin

Principal Clarinet,

Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya

BEHN EPIC mouthpiece 1.07-37

We make mouthpieces for all clarinetists - all styles and all sounds. Here BEHN Artist Dedousis Konstantinos is performing with his beloved BEHN EPIC mouthpiece and BEHN Classic Barrel shortened to 52mm to best serve his instrument and playing style. He's also using a BEHN BELL!

"Karapataki"

Instrumental song from the mountainous area of Thessaly region, Central Greece.

Dedousis Konstantinos

Greek Clarinetist, Soloist, and Friend
BEHN EPIC mouthpiece (1.56mm - 36 length, Medium thin rails)
BEHN Classic Barrel 52mm

BEHN Classic Bell

Brad Batz

BEHN VINTAGE Clarinet Mouthpiece
BEHN Classic Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece

BEHN Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

BEHN Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

M.M in Performance of Multiple Woodwinds from NJCU B.M. in Music Education from Nazareth

Studies in Jazz Composition at Eastman School of Music

Doctoral Studies in Liturgical Music at WCU

Director of Jazz Studies at Nazareth University

Receiver of the 2022 "Teaching Excellence Award"

Receiver of the 2024 "Distinction in Teaching Award"

Henri Bok

Dutch Bass Clarinetist/Composer

BEHN EPIC "Power" bass mouthpiece

Henri enjoys an extensive international soloist's career - spanning the globe, performing all over the world; his joy of music, performance, discovery, and humanity are infectious.

Originally trained in French Literature and Linguistics at Leiden University, Bok shifted focus midstream to pursue music. He earned his diplomas in saxophone and bass clarinet cum laude at the Rotterdam Conservatoire, studying under Leo van Oostrom and Harry Sparnaay.

A pioneer in the field, Bok has redefined the bass clarinet’s role through bold new collaborations and sound pairings. His many ensembles include Duo Contemporain (with marimba/vibraphone), Duo Novair (accordion), Bass Instincts (bass oboe), Duo Clarones (with Luis Afonso ‘Montanha’), Duo HeRo (with jazz pianist Rob van Bavel), and Hevans (with tenor saxophonist Eleri Ann Evans). He has premiered hundreds of works written for him by composers across genres, from classical to jazz to experimental, collaborating with artists like Gustavo Beytelmann, Mike Garson, Louis Sclavis, Dawn Upshaw, and Eric Vloeimans.

From 1981 to 2015, Bok was professor of bass clarinet and free improvisation at the Rotterdam Conservatoire (Codarts). He continues to teach at Fontys University of the Arts (Tilburg), Musikene (San Sebastián), and serves as guest professor at the Robert Schumann Hochschule (Düsseldorf). Bok launched the first-ever World Bass Clarinet Convention in 2005, attracting over 500 players worldwide. His landmark book, New Techniques for the Bass Clarinet (1989, revised 2011), remains a standard reference for performers and composers working with extended techniques.

As a composer, Bok’s catalogue includes numerous solo and chamber works - many using microtonality - published by Shoepair Music. His first piece, Vinho do Porto Brasileiro (1997), launched a prolific composing career rooted in sonic exploration.

In 2014, Bok was knighted by King Willem-Alexander as a Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion, honoring his extraordinary impact on music. He earned his PhD at Leiden University in 2018 with the dissertation The Deep-Rooted Microtonality of the Bass Clarinet.

Dr. William Hayter

BEHN EPIC Power Bass Clarinet mouthpiece

Since I started playing on Brad's EPIC Mouthpieces, it has been much easier to find that warm, golden sound so closely tied to the traditional American school of clarinet playing. Brad's craftsmanship makes it possible to play up and down the sound spectrum while creating distinctive character and style with incredible ease and nuance. The EPIC also makes it feel effortless to translate the natural flow of human speech into clarinet articulation. Wheather it's orchestral, chamber, or solo playing, this mouthpiece is guarantueed to allow you to bring the music rightoff the page and into your audience's heart. I am grateful for this collaboration with one of this generation's leading mouthpiece craftsmen.

Tyler Bourque

Principal clarinet

Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra

BEHN EPIC Clarinet mouthpieces

Tom Puwalski

BEHN VINTAGE "Model S-Curve" clarinet mouthpiece

Clarinet soloist, U.S. Army Field band (Retired)

Tom can be heard daily on his Facebook page. Tom performs in a klezmer band, and in many other settings around the Baltimore, DC area.

Throughout the years, we have met and worked with some incredible artists through our mouthpiece adventures. Some of them just happen to be our favorite people, and some have become cherished friends. Here, we share some of our favorite moments.

Click to enlarge photos and see captions.