Best of Belwin Jazz: Young Jazz Collection for Jazz Ensemble: E-flat Baritone Saxophone Book

This book moves fluidly between moods: from the swinging pocket of Count Bubba's Revenge to the smooth groove of Cantaloupe Island, from the warmth of a ballad treatment of My Funny Valentine to the propulsive energy of Stompin' at the Savoy. You'll feel the baritone sax as a real voice in the ensemble, carrying harmonies and supporting melody with substance.

Young jazz ensembles with at least one baritone saxophonist who are ready to move beyond unison parts and tackle genuine voice leading. Players at the intermediate level will find this collection accessible while still musically rewarding.

• Listen closely to the rhythm section and lock your part into the pocket; the chord voicing suggestions in the rhythm book will help you understand where your lines sit harmonically.
• Mark your dynamic contours in rehearsal since baritone sax lines often anchor harmonic movement rather than state melody; knowing when to push and when to lay back shapes the whole section sound.
• Study the written-out solo sections as composed parts first, then experiment with small variations once you own the changes; this approach builds confidence before pursuing true improvisation.
• Balance your tone between the trumpet and trombone sections; baritone sax bridges the ensemble's upper and lower registers, so your tuning and timbre directly affect band cohesion.

Scatter these charts across your season; program a straightforward swing number early to build ensemble confidence, then layer in the ballad and Latin charts as sight-reading and improvisation skills strengthen. The holiday arrangement works perfectly for winter concerts, while tracks like Now What and Grooved Pavement fit nicely into spring jazz showcases.

• Reading jazz chord symbols and understanding harmonic function
• Playing written-out solos and beginning to improvise over changes
• Balancing tone and intonation within a section while supporting other voices
• Interpreting stylistic nuances across swing, Latin, rock, ballad, and pop idioms
• Listening and locking rhythm with a rhythm section