Thanks so much for this link - it's fascinating. The comment about how Bird could've made any old horn sound good reminds me of a (possibly apocryphal) story about Bernard Edwards - he of the immortal funky Chic basslines. When asked what strings he used to get that amazing bass sound, he replied "Dunno - what strings come with a Fender Precision?" - never once re-strung the instrument and just listen to how it sounded. Guess that's the kind of talent that only comes around once in a while.