Brooklyn-born Dan Levine grew up in a musical family steeped in old standards, classical music and jazz. His teachers include Charles Levine , Donald Yaxley, Buddy Baker, Roy Main,and Ralph Sauer .  He toured the world as  lead trombonist of the Ray Charles band.  Upon returning to New York City he became one of the most active players in the Broadway, studio, and live performance scenes. Dan has performed everywhere from CBGB's and the Blue Note to The Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall., and has toured the world and recorded with They Might be Giants, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, and Blood Sweat and Tears. TV and Radio appearance include, Letterman, The Tonight Show, Conan, This American Life, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, and Prairie Home Companion.  He can be heard on numerous TV shows, commercials, and CD’s  As a "gun for hire", he has also appeared with James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Don Henley, Natalie Cole, Levon Helm and The MidnightRamble, Bon Jovi, and many others. Dan can be heard on recordings with Bjork, Rufus Wainwright, David Byrne, Jay-Z, Natalie Merchant, Tori Amos, Natalie Cole,  Bruce Springsteen, Jonathan Coulton, Miss Velvet and The Blue Wolf, They Might be Giants, Coheed And Cambria, Darlene Love, and Phillip Glass.  His arranging, composition, music production can be heard on PBS, A&E,  NPR All Things Considered, Playhouse Disney, Sesame Street, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, David Byrne, Fatboy Slim.
Dan is a Yamaha performing artist and proudly endorses Pickett Mouthpieces.

Hear what Dan has to say about his great new models:

The “Live 1” model small-shank tenor mouthpiece...This has been my staple for rock, and pop as well as demanding lead parts. The efficiency is unreal, but never at the expense of a fat, brilliant, and rich sound. It has an unabashedly aggressive power curve… It hooks up with the brighter rock-oriented trumpet and sax sounds. When playing in a loud big-band or rock environment, you will hear yourself and be heard.

The “STUDIO ” is also a small-shank tenor mouthpiece. Clear, dense, precise fat sound with projection and efficiency and wonderful flexibility and response in all ranges. This is the mouthpiece I used on the Blood Sweat and Tears Tours, and it’s my go-to for most work around town. It’s designed to be versatile and meet the demands of whatever piece of music is put on the stand!

The “DBLR” Bass trombone mouthpiece. For years I wondered if a bass trombone mouthpiece could be made to address the unique demands of doubling between tenor and bass trombone. It needs to be efficient AND sound great, with no sacrifice in clarity or ease in any register. Another goal was to create a mouthpiece that facilitates ease of the quick-switching which is demanded in a Broadway pit: the mouthpiece needs to have a bit of “purchase” on the face…..not feel too huge or slip around. Pickett did it. This mouthpiece is not huge, yet there is zero panic getting out the (normally) challenging low C’s and B’s. Again, the efficiency is unreal. The sound is an alive, focused, and fat bass voice at ALL volumes. You don’t have to blow the walls down to be heard!

The "7.2" is designed for players who prefer mouthpieces in the 6¾ to 7 size range, and delivers a fantastic balance of efficiency, brilliance, and control. Optimized for commercial and jazz playing, this versatile small-bore mouthpiece enhances your sound with a crisp, responsive feel - offering plenty of presence without excessive edge. Whether you're navigating intricate solos or laying down tight section work, the Levine 7.2 provides the flexibility and clarity you need.
"I am blown away by this mouthpiece. I am never "looking for" the sound or response because it is already there, always on tap, creating that elusive beacon of trombone sound that I desire for the lead trombone chair, and connecting with the horn section effortlessly. It is a perfect match for my .508, .500, and .491 bore horns."

The “7.3” is the latest addition to the Levine lineup, offering a fresh take on the popular 7.2 design. Built with the same comfortable rim, the 7.3 features a slightly deeper cup that introduces a touch more warmth and depth to the overall sound while maintaining excellent clarity and response. Ideal for commercial and jazz playing, the 7.3 delivers a smooth balance of flexibility, control, and tonal richness. Compared to the 7.2, it leans a bit more mellow, softening the edge just enough while still providing the presence needed for lead and section work. Whether you're looking to round out your tone or add a bit more color to your sound, the Levine 7.3 offers a versatile option without sacrificing efficiency or playability.

The "6.7M" is designed specifically for mid-bore .525 trombones such as the Bach 36, Yamaha 646, and Conn 78. It absolutely brings these horns to life. A fat, centered and clear tone, effortless attacks and articulation, and never “tubby”. The efficiency is by far the best I have ever experienced with a mouthpiece in this size range. A perfect match.