I started at 16, so 12 years ago. 8 years of serious collecting (finances permitting). Started out buying a little Coltrane and a little Miles, and lots of CTI electric piano type dates. Now I have moved on to hard bop, and the jazz that preceded hard bop has started to sound different. I may focus on Mingus next, since I have been returning to Mingus Ah Um a lot lately. I feel I am always exploring, and most of what is established in jazz is new to me.