The Selmer Paris musical instrument company has been serving the needs of music professionals, educators, and students since the 19th century. Descendants of a family with a history in French military bands, founders Alexandre and Henri Selmer were brothers and fellow graduates of the Paris Conservatory.

As was common at the time, the Selmer brothers—both clarinetists—acquired the skills to make musical accessories in addition to repairing their own instruments. By 1900, Henri’s reputation for excellent clarinet reeds and mouthpieces inspired him to open a shop in Paris—he was soon also making clarinets.

During this time, Alexandre moved to the United States and performed as principal clarinetist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic.

The admiration of his fellow musicians for Henri’s clarinets encouraged Alexandre to open a New York City store in 1909 to sell Selmer instruments and accessories. In 1918, Alexandre returned to Paris to help the family business, and the brothers sold their American interests.

Today, Selmer USA—though independent from Henri Selmer Co. of Paris—is the exclusive distributor for Selmer Paris instruments in the United States. Henri Selmer distributes Selmer USA products exclusively in Europe. Henri Selmer Co. of Paris is known for making high-quality, professional-level clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, and mouthpieces.

Besides popularity with orchestral musicians, Selmer Paris instruments have a long history of favor with jazz players. Benny Goodman played a Selmer Paris clarinet, John Coltrane played a Selmer Paris saxophone, and Louis Armstrong played a Selmer Paris trumpet.

Woodwind & Brasswind is proud to offer high-quality Selmer Paris clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, and mouthpieces for musicians from professional to beginner. All of our musical instruments and accessories are backed by The Woodwind & Brasswind’s 110% Price Guarantee, assuring that you won’t find Selmer Paris musical instruments at a lower price anywhere else.