by Sam Cronk

Sarrusophones were first designed by a Parisian bandmaster, Sarrus, who was inspired by the success of the saxophone created by Belgian inventor Adolphe Sax. Manufactured by Gautrot in 1856 (one of Sax's business competitors), sarrusophones are brass double reed instruments with a loud strong tone, created for use in military bands. The higher registered soprano instruments have relatively straight bodies, while lower voiced members of the family have 'multifolded' or 'hairpin' bodies, somewhat like that of a bassoon. Most popular during the 19th century, these instruments are still used in several European military and marching bands. In the United States, they are also featured by the Indianapolis Symphonic Band, which describes itself as "one of the few ensembles to own (and actually use on occasion) a contrabass sarrusophone" and the San Ramon Jazz Ensemble.