Later I’d discover that the Jupiter was the introduction to the world of pocket trumpets for many players, as it seemed to be just the right balance of quality (decent) and price (inexpensive enough to be an impulse purchase). Twenty minutes later, I was the thrilled owner of a Jupiter Pocket Trumpet. I had no intention of buying anything, but had to play it. It wasn’t until 1996 that I went into the local music dealer to pick up some valve oil, and spotted a silver pocket trumpet on a shelf behind the counter. I wanted badly to collect vintage brass at the time, but these were the days before the Internet and Ebay, and you had to visit a lot of antique stores in Florida before you’d find an old horn of any type. It wasn’t for sale, or I’d have left with it. I saw many amazing things, but the biggest impression was made by the smallest thing he had – a pocket cornet. In 1983, my sister discovered that a co-worker at her large accounting firm in Tampa was an avid collector of band instruments, and arranged for me to pay him a visit. By 1982 I was playing my first gigs, still using the early 60’s Olds Ambassador cornet of my youth. It was later during college, that I started to play again, in conjunction with a developing interest in jazz and big band music.

And while I showed promise, I never enjoyed the regimentation of band and quit after 7th grade. Like a lot of baby boomers, I started playing cornet in elementary school. For all I know, it was nothing more than a cheap Indian “Counterfeit” pocket cornet. I have no idea what kind it was and cannot tell from this photo. This was the first time I’d seen a pocket cornet, and I thought it was the coolest thing out of the dozens of instruments surrounding me. Nick DeCarlis, 1983, in Tampa, Florida, on a visit to an instrument collector’s home.

Olds ambassador cornet intonation