Selmer Paris: History of the Best Saxophone Company

When it comes to the history of jazz, the saxophone has played an important role in many of the most popular styles and movements.

But dig a little deeper and you'll find that one producer - Selmer - has provided the trumpets they produce to the best players. This company even played a huge role in the development of jazz music.

In this article, we are learning the history of the Selmer saxophone and the role they played in the development of jazz…

Founded in 1885, Henri Selmer Paris has a long history of producing high-quality brass and woodwind instruments, but perhaps its most important contribution to the jazz world are the Selmer saxophones. legendary.

The list of jazz musicians who have loved the Selmer saxophone over the years is quite comprehensive.

From early greats like Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane to modern stars like Branford Marsalis and Michael Brecker, it's almost impossible to name a list of the best jazz albums without encountering a host of trumpeters. This.

Of course, in the saxophone community, the Selmer Mark VI is the "holy grail" for most players.

Produced for just 20 years from the mid-50s to the mid-70s, it coincided with one of the most fertile periods in jazz history (hard bop, cool jazz, avant garde, modal, etc.)

Despite that, however, Selmer proved their quality with other incredible saxophones both before and after the golden era of MKVI saxophone production.

No one can deny that Selmer ranks first in the list of the best saxophone brands in the world.

We'll take a look at some of the most famous Selmer saxophones – from the first Modele 22 in 1922 to today's critically acclaimed Reference 54 and Reference 36 – and look at some of the key musicians and key albums that these musicians played. This trumpet is present.

Modele 22 – the birth of the Selmer Saxophone

While Henri Selmer Paris has built a reputation as a maker of wooden windmills since the late 19th century, and even produced sax according to classical designs by Adolphe Sax, Paris has been made its first serious mark on the saxophone world in 1922 with the introduction of the Selmer Modele 22 .

Henri and Maurice Lefevre had spent the previous two years developing sax production and fabrication methods at a new factory in the French town of Mantes, and by 1922 the new saxophone was on the market.

According to Selmer, “this new technique simplifies the manufacturing process, eliminates weld problems and allows for better standardization of production.”

Although the work on designing and designing the keys was a long way off from later models - and tuning was often difficult to control - the Modele 22 laid the groundwork and hinted at Selmer's future success as was the maker of the best saxophones in the world and set them apart from their American counterparts at the time.

While the jazz genre was still in its infancy at the launch of the Modele 22, its C Melody version (implemented with the rest of the saxophone line after the success of the alto version) has become popular with popular music. jazz musicians of the time.

Most notably, American musician and bandleader Frankie Trumbauer made this saxophone famous and perhaps because of that, the great Coleman Hawkins also started playing the C Melody saxophone.

Super “Cigar Cutter” and 1930s Super Sax

In 1929, with an emerging international reputation as a saxophone maker, Selmer purchased the company Adolphe Sax & Co, giving the company exclusive rights to that saxophone-making legacy.

During this time, the company launched the Selmer Super Sax product line, which was distributed on many different models. Perhaps the most famous is the Cigar Cutter. Named by the Americans for its octave key design, it also includes several other design enhancements and upgrades on previous models.

In terms of jazz musicians of the time, Zoot Sims is said to have played the Cigar Cutter, as did Coleman Hawkins on some of his earlier recordings.

Selmer (Super) Balanced Action

If you're looking to date the 'modern' saxophone as we know it today, your best bet would probably be in the mid/late 1930s with the introduction of the Balanced Action saxophone. by Selmer.

According to the company, the origin of the name Balanced Action comes from the main job of balancing and distributing weight. “The basic archetype of the modern saxophone and most of the changes incorporated in it have remained the same to this day. The main work is completely redesigned. The low B and Bb keys have been moved to the right of the bell, allowing for easier key manipulation.”

In general, the resulting trumpet is easier to use; lighter, faster and more comfortable – all helping players unleash their performance with extended technique and greater versatility.

While Balanced Action laid the groundwork, Super Action (or Super 'Balanced' Action as it was known) - launched in 1948 - improved things further.

In particular, working on the bore improved intonation and overall sound.

Ben Webster quickly upgraded to Selmer Balanced Action as they hit the market and John Coltrane played the famous Selmer Super Balanced Action that made his career.

Modern jazz saxophonists like Joshua Redman, Mark Turner and Seamus Blake are also fans of this great trumpet.

Selmer Mark VI – Legend of the Saxophone

If you know anything about Selmer, you've almost certainly heard of Mark VI. Debuted in 1954, the Selmer Mark VI saxophone went into the world as the finest piece ever made.

If the Balanced Action of previous years paved the way for modern saxophone design, the MK VI refined many features and paired it with that magical sound.

SELMER MARK VI SILVER TENOR SAXOPHONE 1957 SERIAL #M71245

A $40,000 saxophone

Taking its name from the fact that it is the 6th model since the original Modele 22, particularly sought-after trumpets from this era (they were discontinued after just 20 years) can be surprisingly valuable.

Commenting to Pitchfork, New York saxophone shop owner Roberto Romeo said he rarely sells a Mark VI alto for less than $8,000 (other altos can be cheaper) - and he's never sold one before. ever get to play for $40,000!

It is estimated that Selmer produced between 150,000 and 200,000 Mark VIs, most of which are believed to have survived to this day.

Why is Selmer Mark VI the best?

This is a good question, and one with no simple answer!

Of course, at the time, technical advances made it easy for many jazz musicians. But even as modern production methods have evolved, it has retained this legendary status.

The results come in part from a combination of several technical advances. Mixtures for brass alloys (a closely guarded Selmer secret), who actually did this in the factory, the materials available at the time.

But some also have the feeling that timing plays a role.

The Mark VI was produced and used during the heyday of jazz in the 1950s and 1960s. Many of the best albums in jazz history were recorded during this period and so Mark VI, played. on numerous albums, have also gone down in jazz history.

If the solos of John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Sonny Rollins are a big part of your jazz learning, why not grab the chance to play the same sax they did?!

Who played the Selmer Mark VI saxophone?

Well, the list is pretty comprehensive, if you look at the great tenor saxophonists from the mid-1950s onwards!

John Coltrane is one of many players who switched from Selmer's Super "Balanced" Action to Mark VI as soon as they hit the market.

Sonny Rollins apparently picked up his Mark VI from a New York saxophone shop in the 1970s and has been playing it ever since.

And, according to Selmer himself, “a limited production alto with a low A also appeared under the “Mark VI” badge, which has fans like Ornette Coleman.”

More recently, saxophone giant Michael Brecker upgraded to the Mark VI midway through his career and today, more than 40 years after the last Mark VIs were produced, there are modern players like Kamasi Washington, who spoke out in support of Mark VI.

Selmer Super Action 80

In the early 1980s, Selmer launched the first of three Super Action 80 saxophones (Series I, Series II and Series III in the 1990s).

The instrument follows the less popular debut of the Mark VII and aims to bring together the technological developments from that experimentation, with the ergonomics and feel of the Mark VI.

Still in production today, it is a popular choice among many trumpeters looking to pair the history of the Selmer saxophone in jazz, with a more modern and easier-to-maintain trumpet.

Although this pattern is available in all popular sizes of saxophones (the first prototype was actually a baritone), it is the most famous and used alto version.

In fact, according to Selmer, it is "certainly the most famous professional alto saxophone in the world."

Of course, as a saxophone launched in the 1980s, it doesn't have the same list of jazz legends as its predecessors, but there are indeed plenty of modern greats who play it. , including Mozambican jazz saxophonist Moreira Chonguiça (“one of the finest performers of original and innovative jazz from Africa”).

Selmer Reference 54 & Reference 36

In 2000, Selmer announced the launch of two new saxophone models inspired by two of their most classic trumpets.

As the name suggests, the Selmer Reference 54 is a modern saxophone inspired by the original 1954 Mark VI, while the Selmer Reference 36 is reminiscent of the Balanced Action movement of the 1930s.

The legend of those two saxophones (especially the MKVI) hasn't waned in the years since production was discontinued, so it seems logical that Selmer should try to reclaim some of that magic, by a more modern (and perhaps tune-appropriate) approach!

Like the original MKVI, the Reference 54 sounds full, rich, and ergonomically smooth. It has even undergone an oxidation process to give it that vintage look.

According to Tom Christensen's assessment for Jazztimes, it is "significantly heavier than the Mark VI. This is likely due to the more extensive key work on the new trumpet including additional holders for the longer rods and thicker metal for the keys. The keys on the body for the little fingers on both hands feel very close to the Mark VI.”

Similarly, the Reference 36 takes the elements of its 80-year-old counterpart and infuses them with the precision and action that 21st Century manufacturing allows.

The response to these trumpets has been largely positive and while there will always be saxophonists who wanted 'The Real McCoy' years ago, many others have used these modern hybrids.

Modern players who endorse these trumpets for Selmer include Jean Toussaint (who started with Art Blakey and Jazz messengers in the 80s) and Chico Freeman.

Thank you for joining us in that brief history through the lore of the Selmer saxophone brand!

If you haven't tried it yet, it's highly recommended! If you have – and would like to share feedback – please use the comments section.

If you're ready to learn some more saxophone -related content – ​​both musical instruments and players – you can find all of our saxophone articles .