One thing that was interesting after my surprise performance of Misty on the Mellophonium at the banquet at the 2009 IHS symposium at Western Illinois University (this photo of me introducing the piece was taken by Travis Bennett) was that a percentage of people who spoke to me afterwards had really limited knowledge of the instrument.
Try it for jazz
While developed for use in marching bands, it gained lasting fame for the use of a section of four of the instruments in the Stan Kenton big band in the early 1960s. A great clip of the Kenton Mellophonium section in action may be found here.
And they look cool
Also, note that it is not a modern mellophone, it is a Mellophonium, a design copied by others but primarily a Conn product, produced from 1957-78. Those present at the banquet will agree it has a unique, classic sound if well played. It was fun to play Misty on mine but I would hate to march with it! Modern mellophones are better designed for sure.
UPDATE: See this article for much more background on this iconic instrument.
