After 130 years, family loosens grip on storied French saxophone Since 1885 the descendants of Henri Selmer have been making saxophones favoured by jazz greats like John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. From its factory at Mantes-la-Ville just west of the French capital, the factory crafts some 9,000 saxophones a year for enthusiasts worldwide. But growing competition from cheaper Chinese horns has forced the company to bring in another player.