Distin

The Distin family constituted a musical group that toured Europe in the mid to late 19th century. After visiting Paris, the family purchased an entire complement of Saxhorns from the company of Adolphe Sax. The Distin family quintet was importantly responsible for popularizing Saxhorns, and for the later development of brass instruments.

In the mid 19th century, Henri Distin started Distin & Co., manufacturing brass instruments that competed with the Sax company in Paris. Distin instruments are now rare, but are popular among collectors. In 1872, the Distin company was purchased by the Boosey instrument company (later Boosey & Hawkes, now The Music Group manufacturers). Henri Distin worked with D.J. Blaikely to design brass instruments and to improve existing designs. The Distin company name died out in 1874, after which Distin/Blaikely instruments were all produced under the Boosey label.