Owners & Advisors of the Best Trumpet Manufacturer

The best trumpet manufacturers you’ve heard of before now haven’t produced the best trumpet yet. But we have. At Macaluso Musical Instruments, innovation isn’t a buzzword. It’s the lived experience of a team that has spent years studying what makes a trumpet truly great — and what has held players back for nearly a century. Our owners and advisors bring together engineering precision, deep musical expertise, and a relentless commitment to giving professional players a competitive edge. Learn about the Macaluso B-Flat Trumpet.

Charles Macaluso — Founder, Inventor, and Visionary Architect

Charles Macaluso has spent about 50 years studying the acoustics of trumpet design. His research uncovered the structural flaws built into every trumpet manufactured to date—flaws players have been forced to compensate for until now. Such flaws include embouchure manipulation, increased pressure in the upper register, and an inability to play very softly when desired. With his engineering expertise and musical knowledge, he developed a solution. The result of his work is a breakthrough design that completely removes those limitations. Charles leads all innovation and engineering efforts at MMI, shaping the instruments that will redefine what professional trumpeters expect from a horn. Learn more about Charles.

Personal Advisors to the Founder

Marc Macaluso — Marketing Advisor, and Website Chief Architect

Marc Macaluso brings the discipline, planning, and oversight required to transform disruptive ideas into a scalable reality. He guides the company’s marketing and long-term commercialization strategy. Marc ensures that each phase, from prototyping to manufacturing to market release, aligns with MMI’s mission to become the new performance standard in professional brass instruments. Connect with Marc.

Carolyn Dickerson – General Advisor

Carolyn Dickerson provides a broad range of advice in digital marketing strategy and investor relations. Connect with Carolyn.

Tony Kadleck — World-Renowned Trumpeter & Early Performance Advisor

Tony Kadleck, a leading New York City professional trumpeter, has performed in twenty Broadway Musicals in twenty years, innumerable guest soloist performances, and studio work. Tony was one of the first artists to play-test the Macaluso prototype. His immediate recognition of its breakthrough performance and his ability to validate its superiority compared to legacy horns have shaped the professional-level expectations for the MMI lineup. Tony’s continued insight helps ensure the instrument meets the needs of the world’s most demanding players. Learn about Tony.

Chuck McAlexander — Master Brass Technician & Industry Authority

Few individuals understand trumpet mechanics as deeply as Chuck McAlexander. With a decades-long reputation as one of the most respected brass technicians in the country, Chuck has worked with top-tier professional musicians. His technical guidance during the prototyping and refinement stages ensures that every MMI instrument is built to withstand the demands of elite performance.

Ralph Selitto – Patent Advisor

Ralph Selitto, one of the most experienced patent and trademark attorneys in the world, provides patent strategy advice and is a business strategy advisor. Learn about Ralph.

Our ownership and advisory team is united around a single goal: to build the most advanced, consistent, and musically responsive trumpet the world has ever seen for the players who’ve been waiting for something better.

With decades of experience, unmatched technical insight, and a patent-protected design strategy, this team isn’t just improving on tradition. They’re replacing it with something radically better.

MMI collaborates with a select group of advisors who contribute expertise across fabrication, patent strategy, supply chain development, and performance testing. Their involvement strengthens every decision we make, from materials to ergonomics to long-term scalability.