The trumpet that Marsalis is playing was specially made for him according to a design he made. Marsalis was concerned that the traditional trumpet mouthpiece and tubing were not sufficiently stiff to transfer all the energy from his embouchure to the horn. Hence, the design he made has a heavily reinforced mouthpiece area which is stiffer. Marsalis says this design allows him to play with more power and less energy (I think that is a fairly accurate quote).
Marsalis's horn on "JAZZ"
Has anyone noticed the horn that Marsalis is using on the Jazz documentary? It appears to be some kind of "moulded " design rather than having distinct tubes of bent brass. This is probably some common thing to you that can actually play such an instrument, but, I have never seen a horn like this. What gives? Can any players enlighten me?