Now, before I am flooded with emails asking me if I really DO own Bird's horn: I don't have any proof that the horn belonged to Bird, or any reason to even suspect as much. I do know that the horn was purchased from a pawn shop in New York many years ago. It was in need of an overhaul and had very little lacquer left when I got it, but the price was right. It may very well have belonged to Bird! She sure sings like a Bird! Whenever I'm playing blues or jazz, my hands just seem to flow across the keys as if they were being guided by Bird! Ok....$15,000??? Any buyers???

That is an interesting question, Bebopper. I can't really speak for any of the names that you mentioned, although I too would like to know what happened to them; being a collector. I would not be too surprised to learn that a few players were in fact buried with their favorite horns, but I think that more often, the horns were passed on to close friends, children and family members and kept as keepsakes. Some were probably sold to collectors and museums over the years. I'm sure that there are others around that may have at one time been owned by one of the greats, but unfortunately, it would be very hard to prove who the sax really belonged to. I've said a few times that when I die, I plan on taking my Conn 10M to the grave with me, but I would be far happier passing it on to one of my children, or a close friend who would either play it and enjoy it, or at least have it as a reminder of me, and something that has always been a very important part of my life; my music. Jim