Mellophone and Mellophonium in Jazz

The Mellophone is a brass instrument typically pitched in the key of F, though models in E♭, D, C, and G (as a bugle) have also historically existed. Mellophonium: C.G. Conn developed its 16E “Mellophonium“ and first marketed it in 1957. It is essentially a “classic“ or “concert“ mellophone that has figuratively been partially unwrapped to form a bell forward instrument. American bandleader Stan Kenton himself was not involved in the design of the mellophonium; in 1961, however, he provided an endorsement for Conn’s advertising upon adopting the instrument. Kenton had, for several years, wished to add another brass voice alongside the trumpets and trombones in his orchestra and experimented unsuccessfully with additional instruments, before discovering the Conn Mellophonium, which bridged the gap he was seeking to fill. 1. James Deuchar (June 26, 1930 in Dundee, Scotland – September 9, 1993 in London, England) was a Scottish jazz trumpeter, mellophonium player and big band arranger. Tubby Hayes Band, recorded off BBC tv programme Jazz 625, 1964. “Blues for Bloody Morag“ 2. Don Elliott (October 21, 1926 in Somerville, New Jersey – July 5, 1984 in Weston, Connecticut) was an American jazz trumpeter, vibraphonist, vocalist and mellophone player. Elliott recorded over 60 albums and 5,000 advertising jingles throughout his career. Elliott was also a longtime associate of Quincy Jones, contributing vocal work in particular to many of Jones’ film scores. 3. Ray Starling (January 04, 1933 in London, England – May 15, 1982 in Arizona) was British jazz trumpeter, mellophonium player, pianist and arranger. He played with Stan Kenton, Kai Winding, Ray Eberly, Claude Thornhill, Buddy Rich, Johnny Richards, Tony Ortega and many others. The Stan Kenton Orchestra - “Misty“ by Erroll Louis Garner (Live) Longtime Kenton composer and arranger Gene Roland penned the mellophonium feature of “Misty“ for Ray Starling. Roland was the person who first brought the idea of a mellophonium section to Kenton. 4. Michael Supnick (born July 13, 1962 in Worcester) is American - Italian trombonist, trumpeter, mellophone player, composer, arranger and writer. In the . he studied first at Indiana University, Bloomington, then later at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has resided in Italy since 1986, where he lives in the western area of the capital together with his wife Jole and their two children Davide and Aurora. He became one of the leading artists of New Orleans jazz. He leads the Sweetwater Jazz Band, which he founded in 1996. 5. Michael Supnick - Lino Patruno Jazz Show - Live in Rome. Teatro Olimpico, 2005 “Dream a Little Dream of Me“ is a 1931 song with music by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt and lyrics by Gus Kahn. A popular standard, it has seen well over 400 recorded versions. 6. Pyotr Vostokov (born August 26, 1985, Moscow) is a Russian jazz musician, trumpeter, mellophone player, leader of the Big Jazz Orchestra. Musical director of the “Big Jazz” project on the “Russia Culture” TV channel. Vano Muradeli - “Don’t be sad“ (Вано Мурадели - “Не грусти“) #mellophone #jazz #horn #jazzmusic