Combo Blasters Take 3!: Part II (E-flat) (Alto Sax) Book

This collection delivers immediate impact without sacrificing musicality. The 15 titles span recognizable hits and standards that audiences love, giving your ensemble repertoire that plays well at football games, pep rallies, and concerts alike. López's arranging lets you program a complete show from one book, with parts that sit comfortably for alto saxophones while maintaining genuine musical interest.

These arrangements pulse with life and accessibility. You get the familiar hooks of 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' and 'Margaritaville' alongside the driven grooves of 'Jungle Boogie' and 'Smooth,' all written in a register and style that feels natural to play. The energy is upbeat and audience-ready without ever feeling thin or cheap.

Alto saxophonists in marching bands and flexible ensemble settings who need reliable, engaging parts that work whether the band is at full strength or running with essential personnel. This book serves both competitive groups seeking polished show music and programs that value concert and game-day versatility.

• Lock the rhythm section with your snare and bass drum on the groove pieces (Conga, Jungle Boogie, Smooth) to establish the pocket before the full section enters.
• Treat the James Bond Theme and Dragnet as your straightforward statement moments; they benefit from controlled dynamics and clean articulation rather than pushing volume.
• Balance the sax section's doubling on busier arranges like Chattanooga Choo Choo by having your lead alto sit slightly forward without overshadowing the trumpets.
• Give Winter Wonderland and Happy Birthday the weight of your full section when available, but rehearse them with reduced forces so either version sounds confident.

Use these selections to fill your marching season with instantly recognizable repertoire that builds audience connection at competitions and community events. Mix them throughout your program to pace the set's energy, pairing up-tempo numbers like the Hey Song with the focused drama of the James Bond Theme. The flexibility in instrumentation means you can confidently perform multiple titles even when players are absent.

• playing groove-based rhythms with locked phrasing and consistent articulation
• reading and executing mid-range to upper-register alto sax parts in commercial and jazz styles
• adapting to different time signatures and musical textures across 15 contrasting arrangements
• balancing individual voice in ensemble setting while maintaining clear harmonic function