Best of Belwin Jazz: Jazz Band Collection for Jazz Ensemble: 2nd Tenor Saxophone Book

These arrangements bring the energy and sophistication of the jazz tradition into your rehearsal space. You'll move between the laid-back groove of a swing tune, the introspection of a ballad, and the contemporary feel of jazz-rock, each one testing your flexibility as a player.

Jazz ensemble saxophonists at the intermediate level who are ready to tackle real big band repertoire with commercial appeal. Second tenor players looking for parts that balance harmonic responsibility with lines that sit comfortably in the instrument's natural range.

• Listen to the full conductor recording before rehearsing your part. Hearing the complete arrangement helps you lock into how your saxophone voice sits within the section and the overall ensemble sound.
• Pay attention to the articulation markings throughout these charts. Jazz phrasing depends on knowing whether a note is tongued, slurred, or ghosted, and the difference shapes how the section sounds together.
• Work section balance with your fellow saxophones early. Because these are written for 2nd tenor specifically, your intonation and blend with 1st tenor and baritone sets the foundation for the entire horn section.
• Mark your breathing points in pencil before the first full rehearsal. Medium-tempo swing charts often have longer phrases than classical music, and planning breath spots prevents panic during performance.

Pull individual charts throughout the school year as you move through different jazz styles and tempos. You could open a spring concert with an uptempo swinger like "Jumpin' at the Woodside," follow with "My Foolish Heart" as a breather, and close with "Get it On" for energy. Alternatively, program the entire collection as a centerpiece concert, letting the variety showcase how much range your ensemble has developed.

• Swing articulation and phrasing
• Jazz rhythm section coordination and groove
• Intonation and blend within a saxophone section
• Reading and performing idiomatic big band voicings
• Stylistic versatility across swing, ballad, and jazz-rock contexts
• Section awareness and harmonic function in jazz harmony