The Zobo saxophone dates from the end of the 19th century. Under the Zobo brand W.H. Frost in New York marketed a whole line of brass kazoo's from 1895 onwards. On Januar 7th, 1896 he had the patent registered. Besides the saxophone there was also a cornet, a trombone and a tuba model. A set of 4 listed for $8,25 and made musical instruments affordable. Some years later, in 1900, Louis N. Crakow patented the Songophone, an almost identical instrument. Crakow first dealt in Zobo's together with Frost. The Songophone was also traded as Sonophone.

Zobo saxophone, coll.Gerard Westerhof
Songophone saxophone, mouthpiece missing, coll. Gerard Westerhof

The history of the Zobo as told by the coverage in the Music Trade Review (and some other sources)

The Zobo. (Music Trade Review 1895, 21-15-04)

THE MOST POPULAR LITTLE INSTRUMENT NOW BEFORE THE TRADE.

The Zobo is the name of a fascinating little musical instrument which is just now taking the country by storm. It is the invention of W. H. Frost, the inventor of the Kazoo, which was tremendously popular some years ago. The Zobo is a marked improvement on the Kazoo, however, arid an idea of its popularity can be gleaned from the fact that over four hundred thousand Zobos and Zobo Cornet and Cornetos are now in use, although the invention is but a few months old. Anyone can play the Zobo, no instruction being necessary. You sing into it and get any effect desired. For home amusement, church or society entertainments, street parades, "high old times "for dancing, quartettes, solos, or for bands and orchestras, it cannot be excelled. The Zobo has become such a popular favorite that Mr. Frost has gotten out a line of Zobo brass band instruments, embracing the cornet, alto cornet, saxaphone, bass horn and piccolo. The principle of the Zobo is novel but simple, and, like all successful inventions, the wonder is that some one did not think o- it before. The voice is transformed into a reed instrument by the resonant diaphragm, and having per formed its work in producing the tone, the voice is lost through the vent provided for that purpose, while the resonance of the diaphragm is given volume and intonation by the instrument to which it is attached, and its material, construction and size determines the quality and intonation of the complete instrument. By the use of the Zobo instruments it is thus possible to reproduce all the brasses and reeds of a brass band, making it possible to organize whole bands and orchestras. Moreover, although the Zobo brass instruments are of solid brass, highly polished and lacquered, Mr. Frost has put them on the market at surprisingly low figures, the retail price of a full Brass Quartette, embracing cornet, alto cornet, saxaphone and brass horn, being only $8.25. Quartettes and glee clubs will be especially interested in these instruments, while we shall expect to see every campaign club of 1896 marching to the stirring strains of its own Zobo Brass Band. One of the interesting uses of the Zobo is the "Zobo Patriotic Drill," originated by the Sisters of Mercy in charge of St. Anne's Academy, at Fort Smith, Ark., and given with great success at their closing exercises of June 21st, 1895. The Fort Smith Times says of it: "The hit of the day then followed, the Zobo drill. The Zobo is a new instrument to Fort Smith, and its effect is novel and charming. It is worth going a long way to see. There was marching and singing the Red, White and Blue and other popular airs. Flags floated and patriotism was at fever heat and on dress parade."Mr. Frost was so impressed with this feature that he gives full instructions for its production in the directions which go with every instrument. We take pleasure in printing a sketch of this very entertaining drill, which is only one of the many novel arrangements possible. The leading jobbers in New York, Chicago, Boston and all the important music trade centers are handling the Zobo. The Zobo is one of the best things in its line before the trade to-day. It is sold at such a price that it leaves a satisfactory margin of profit to the dealer. It will undoubtedly make Mr. Frost a wealthy man, and he deserves it. Dealers should order a trial lot of their jobber, and not forget to ask for the very attractive window display which seems to multiply the sales amazingly. Mr. Frost is always glad to see any of the trade at his establishment at 35 Frankfort street, and is always pleased to receive inquiries.

MTR-1895-21-20-11 (Dec 7th 1895)

The Zobo in Concert.

THAT popular instrument, the Zobo, is becoming a huge favorite everywhere. W. H. Frost, the manufacturer, is experiencing quite a boom in trade these days, owing to the approach of the holidays. By the way, the Zobo brass band instruments will be used at the grand concert to be given in the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Suffolk street, near Grand, on next Wednesday evening, Dec. nth.

MTR-1895-21-21-03 (Dec 14th 1895)

THE Zobo is the talk of the country. This fascinating little musical instrument is selling like the proverbial "hot cakes." It is proving one of the greatest holiday novelties on the market. Over half a million Zobos, Zobo cornets and cornetos are now in use, both for home amusement, church and society entertainments, parades, bands and orchestras; in fact, they have become such a popular favorite that Mr. Frost, the inventor, has all he can do to supply the demands of the trade. The great success of the Zobo is attributable to the fact that any one can play it; no instruction being necessary. You simply sing into it and get any effect you desire. For instance, in the Zobo brass band instruments, which embrace the cornet, alto cornet, saxaphone, bass horn and piccolo, the voice is transformed into a reed or brass instrument, thus making it possible to organize whole bands and orchestras. The Zobo is sold at a popular price, and a full brass quartet can be purchased for $8.25.

One important fact should be borne in mind, namely, that the Zobo is not a novelty, just made for the holidays. It is here to stay, and it is bound to grow in popularity month after month. Dealers will find as great a demand for this instrument in the spring as at present, and during the Presidential campaign of '96 we will be surprised if the Zobo is not used by every campaign club in the country. Hence dealers will readily recognize that it is a staple instrument, not for the day, but for all time.

Dealers who have not yet ordered a trial lot of Zobos should do so at once through their jobber or directly from Mr. Frost, the inventor and manufacturer, at his establishment, 35 Frankfort street, this city. A very attractive window display, which seems to multiply the sales amazingly, is furnished with every order. The Zobos are sold at a price that leaves a satisfactory margin of profit to the dealer. We would not be surprised to see Zobo bands, uniformed and equipped as shown in the illustration herewith, in every country town and city before long. For clubs and home amusement the Zobo cannot be duplicated. It possesses a value peculiar to itself. A little "push" and the dealer has a "big thing" when he handles the Zobo. It is worth looking up at once.

Image from the Music Trade Review

MTR-1895-21-22 (Dec 21st 1895)

AT a concert and cantata given by the Emmanuel Baptist Church in this city last week, the Zobo was used. The World has the following to say in this connection: "In the last chorus of the cantata a fine effect was produced by the use of brass Zobos. With these instruments the young people produced a very good imitation of a brass band accompaniment."

MTR-1895-21-23-06

W. H. FROST, of Zobo fame, is on a two weeks' business trip to Chicago.

Catalogue of A.E. Benary

In a catalogue of A.E. Benary, New York from 1895 the zobo is mentioned already [Catalog. NY, NY: A. E. Benary; 1895], 286 p. Cloth binding. Successor to Henry Benary's Sons, Importer and Manufacturer of Musical Instruments, Strings, 62 White Street, New York 1895. Retail catalog featuring: violins (including parts and cases), contra bass, trombone, cymbals, cymbal bags, bicycle bugle, cavalry trumpets, xylophones, tubephones, door harps, metallophones, zobos, zobo cornettos, etc.

Music Trades 1984 Volume 132, Numbers 7-12

Zobo Bands Are Forming All Over the Country It is likely that 100 Zobo bands will do service during the coming presidential campaign. Mr. WH Frost, the inventor and sole proprietor of this unique musical instrument, finds that it is growing more popular every day. A considerable number of Zobo bands have been organized in New York and Brooklyn and the surrounding towns. The Zobo Bicycle Band of the Gormully and Jeffery Co. made a decided hit in the recent bicycle parade. Nearly every newspaper in New York gave the band a complimentary notice. The Evening Telegram said, "The white uniform Wheelman's band, the first on record by the way, of the Gormully & Jeffery Company received a great ovation as thev swept up past headquarters to take their place in line.”m Zobo…

1895 The American Stationer volume 38

Ashtabula, Ohio asks for the address of the makers of the Zobo. Answer: W.F. Frost 858 Dearborn Street Chicago 1896 Januar 7th the Zobo patent was registered: US 552612.

WARREN HERBERT FROST, son of Edward J. and Elizabeth, married Mattie Josephine Orcutt. His second wife was Mae Etta Orcutt. Residence, Chicago, where his only child, son by first wife, Herbert Earl, was born Nov.17, 1890, and died in 1893. (Frost genealogy in five families).

Zobo and Songophone

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