Best of Belwin Jazz: Young Jazz Collection for Jazz Ensemble: 2nd B-flat Tenor Saxophone Book

Energetic and varied. One moment you're locked into a Latin groove on Sambeando, the next you're comping behind a ballad section on My Funny Valentine, then swinging hard on Stompin' at the Savoy. The styles span enough ground to keep rehearsals fresh while the writing stays grounded in what young players can actually execute.

Young tenor saxophonists (roughly 2-3 years experience) who are ready to join a jazz ensemble or are currently playing in one at the middle school or early high school level. This part book works equally well in programs with full instrumentation or flexible lineups, since the collection accommodates reduced sax sections.

• Listen closely to the rhythm section's suggestions for groove; the piano voicings and guitar frames are blueprints for locking in the pocket, not just decoration.
• Pay attention to the dynamics markings across all twelve titles, since the tenor voice often carries the harmonic foundation and needs control to avoid overshadowing the lead trumpet line.
• Study the written solos as transcriptions of jazz language, then use them as models when improvising on other tunes you encounter in future ensemble playing.

Use this collection as your core jazz ensemble repertoire for a full school year, programming individual charts across concerts and rehearsals rather than performing all twelve at once. The variety makes it ideal for winter holiday concerts, spring jazz showcases, or even as a foundational text for a jazz elective where students learn multiple styles simultaneously.

• Jazz articulation and phrasing across swing, ballad, and funk contexts
• Reading and executing written-out jazz solos with authentic feel
• Harmonic awareness and chord changes through tenor saxophone comping
• Ensemble blend and balance within a jazz section configuration
• Style recognition and interpretation (Latin, rock, pop, holiday arrangements)