I do believe that is a woodwind instrument called a "saxophone". It is commonly used when playing jazz, a genre of music that originated in 19th century New Orleans. You would have known that if you had just studied the Earth textbooks you were given before you started your assignment. If I hear that you've ended up in some government testing lab, we will not send a ship for you.

a saxaphone

and before you ask, yes - it's an instrument.