Currently, I manage the ACME Jazz Company. You can find us on FaceBook here.
From 2000-2008 I was a member of the Stan Bann Big Band. Before that, I was in the Minnesota Jazz Orchestra for about 3 years.
For those (very few) that might care, I started on a Holton "Collegiate" made in 1947 according to the serial number (175XXX). It has a "Collegiate" mpc. No idea what size it corresponds to. In the ninth grade, I got a Schilke B3, (large bore, medium bell) and I've been using that horn ever since. I also have an early 60's Severinsen Eterna (pre-amado-water-keys). Less work than the large bore.
In March 2015 I ordered a Harrelson Summit. In November of 2015 they told me it was "basically done". I'm still waiting for it to be delivered. I hear it's coming "Real Soon Now."
Update! I threatened to reverse the credit-card charges, and they finally coughed up my horn, about 18 months after I ordered it (and 9 months after I gave them the "final assembly" payment).
It was OK for a while, but it has the worst valves of any horn I've ever played.
They continually stick.
I took it to a local technician, and his opinion was that the valves had never been "fit" by the manufacturer.
It is now an extremely over-priced hangar-queen.
Let this be a cautionary tale...
I used to play on a Marcinkiewicz E13: "Chuck Findley" mpc. Now, I prefer my GR 66MS. It seems to give me enough flexibility in the sound so I can use it in all of the kinds of situations in which I play, without having to switch, sound too bright, get my sound buried, or my tail kicked by a too-big mpc. I'm considering moving to some form of a 64-width. I'm trying one now, that is pretty shallow. Probably too much so, but I'm treating it as an opportunity to learn better aperture control...
I've played (at) the piano since I was 5 or so. I'd like to learn jazz piano. I recently was directed to a great book by Mark Levine called "The Jazz Piano Book". In it is a lifetime of work...
There are so many good places to visit that Ralph's already points to, that it's just easier to let him maintain the links. I seem go back to these: