Trumpet, B-flat
Maker
Emil Karl Blessing
Date1967
Place MadeElkhart, Indiana, United States, North America
ModelSuper Artist
Serial No.154094
SignedEngraved on bell stem, to be read horizontally on the side of the bell stem: E. K. BLESSING CO. / Super Artist (in old English style of script) / ELKHART, IND.MarkingsEngraved on bell, where one would normally expect to find maker's signature: MADE ESPECIALLY / FOR / JIM KONN
Stamped on second valve casing: 154094
DescriptionAccording to the Blessing company website (Blessingbrass.com/about/), "the Blessing professional model “Super Artist” trumpet was introduced [after WWII] and later became the preferred trumpet of choice of legendary jazz trumpet artist, Clifford Brown (1930-1956)." It was also used by American jazz trumpeter/vocalist, Chet Baker (1929-1988) and George Rock (1919-1988), lead trumpeter/vocalist with Spike Jones and the City Slickers.
According to the Blessing.com website, "With the dawn of the Big Band Era, Blessing was producing instruments to meet the demand of growing wind instrument culture in America. In 1940, the Blessing factory was erected at its West Beardsley Avenue location in Elkhart, and master craftsmen were now making instruments in a progressive manufacturing environment with modern precision capabilities.
Big Band luminaries such as Muggsy Spanier, Bob Crosby, Horace Heidt, Ted Lewis and others endorsed Blessing trumpets and cornets. The Blessing professional model “Super Artist” trumpet was introduced and later became the preferred trumpet of choice of legendary jazz trumpet artist, Clifford Brown. Blessing built professional model brasswinds during this era but saw an early opportunity and developed as a leading student and step-up manufacturer."
Additionally, a photo exists from 6 March 1954 showing Miles Davis playing Clifford Brown's own Blessing Super Artist trumpet during his Blue Note Record date with Horace Silver, Art Blakey and Percy Heath.
DimensionsLarge bore: standard 0.468 in
ProvenanceCustom-made for Jim Konn, then passed to his son Frank Andrew Konn who retained ownership of the instrument through his lifetime. Frank Konn, a Navy drummer, was the Advertising Manager at Conn, Elkhart, IN, ca. 1958-1961, then Director of Marketing for Richards Music Corp., Elkhart, IN, appointed in August 1961.
Credit LineGift of Susan Konn McCormick, 2019
Object number15553
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