5 Minutes with… Howarth Dealers | Jimboe Products Inc.
We are excited to bring you another instalment of ‘5 minutes with… Howarth Dealers’. This week we introduce you to Jim Mason of Jimboe Products Inc.
As a highly regarded, prominent oboist in Canada, Jim is welcoming and friendly in sharing his knowledge to help you find the right instrument.
What is the name of your shop?
Jimboe Products Inc.
Where are you based?
I’m based in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Tell us about your music education and/or career!
I studied the oboe at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music (Batchelor’s Degree) and the Catholic University of America (Master’s Degree). My main teachers were Gene Montooth, John de Lancie and Richard Woodhams. I have played professionally for 50 years. I came to Canada from the US in 1975 to play in the Saskatoon Symphony and moved to Kitchener in 1979, spending 40 years with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. I retired from the orchestra in May, 2019. I still play lots of chamber music professionally.
How did the business get started and/or why did you decide to open the shop?
I was looking to have a source of income after retiring from symphonic playing and I’ve always enjoyed selling and dealing with people, so the business was the natural transition. I try to help customers find the right instrument for them and I treat them the way that I’d like to be treated.
How long have you been stocking Howarth oboes?
I’ve been stocking Howarth oboes for 7 years. I became a Howarth dealer in 2014.
What is your favourite Howarth oboe and why?
My favourite Howarth is the cocobolo XL VT. I like it the most because of it’s warm, lush tone and becuase of the liner, the freedom of not worrying about cracking. The first cocobolo that I bought was delivered to my business on a Tuesday. I played an Albinoni concerto on it on the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday! I was totally in love!
Contact Jim:
519-580-0052
Follow Jim on Facebook!