Exciting Sounds of the Big Band Era: 1st B-flat Tenor Saxophone Book

The energy shifts between the infectious drive of 'Don't Be That Way' and 'Johnson Rag' and the sophisticated lyricism of 'Cherokee' and 'At Last,' letting you experience the full emotional range of swing. You'll find yourself playing the same essential melodies and figures that defined an entire era of American music.

1st tenor saxophonists in high school and college jazz ensembles who are building their core big band repertoire and need authentic charts at their instrument level. This book works equally well for lead players transitioning into jazz and for students who need to solidify their foundational swing technique.

• Study the articulation patterns in the original recordings alongside these charts. The difference between legit jazz articulation and classical tonguing matters most in the ballads like 'At Last' and 'In a Mist'.
• Lock the comping rhythm section early, especially on 'In the Mood' and 'Two O'Clock Jump,' so the saxophone line sits in that pocket rather than leading ahead.
• Balance your tone across the full range these arrangements demand. 'Pennsylvania 6-5000' and 'Eager Beaver' will push you into the upper register; make sure your tonal quality stays consistent throughout.
• Mark your section cuts and hits in rehearsal immediately. Several of these titles feature tight ensemble figures that need visual cues, not just listening.

Sequence these as the backbone of your fall or spring jazz concert, pairing three to five titles per set to showcase stylistic range without repetition. They also serve as essential preparation music before tackling more contemporary jazz repertoire, since these standards establish the rhythmic and harmonic literacy your ensemble needs.

• reading and executing swing articulation and phrasing
• navigating jazz chord changes and comping figures
• playing with consistent intonation and tone across the full saxophone range
• understanding the history and context of big band era composition and arrangement
• sectional blending and rhythmic cohesion with ensemble horn players