Jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie was a central figure in the bebop movement and its success is partially attributed to his stage presence. While his beret, horn-rimmed glasses and pouched cheeks all played their part, it was his bent horn that eventually became the most expensive trumpet in the world.
Gillespie’s first bent horn was the result of an accident, but he liked the effect produced by the 45-degree bend so much that he used bent trumpets for the rest of his career. One such trumpet was his Martin Committee bent trumpet.
So called because a committee of players and music teachers designed it for the Martin Band Instrument Company, the Martin Committee line of musical instruments was also used by jazz icons like Miles Davis and Chet Baker.
In 1995, Dizzy Gillespie’s Martin Committee trumpet was sold at a Christie’s auction $55,000.