Harlem Nocturne (Alto Sax Solo with Band): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Dick Rogers / By Earle Hagen / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00155726
$65.00
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Description
What better vehicle than the sultry jazz standard "Harlem Nocturne" to showcase the talents of your alto sax soloist? Arranged with a richly scored accompaniment, this will bring back memories of the big band era and be an impressive addition to any concert. Dur: 2:50
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00155726
More about this title
About the Composer: Dick Rogers
Dick Rogers composed "Harlem Nocturne" during the golden age of swing, capturing the sophisticated energy of 1940s New York jazz culture. His work became a standard in the big band repertoire, recorded by countless artists and remaining a fixture in jazz programs for decades.
Why we love this
Paul Murtha's arrangement respects the tune's inherent sophistication while making it accessible to Grade 3 bands. Your alto saxophonist gets a genuine solo feature that demands musicality and phrasing rather than technical fireworks, and the band parts are voiced richly enough to feel like a proper big band behind them.
What to expect
Smoky and introspective, with the warmth of a late-night jazz club performance. The melody moves with elegant restraint, supported by warm harmonic colors that evoke the lush sound of a classic big band.
Who it's for
Directors seeking a featured solo vehicle that develops jazz style and phrasing without requiring advanced technique. Your alto saxophonist will grow comfortable navigating swing figures and listening to their accompaniment as an ensemble member, not just a soloist.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the alto sax solo with legato phrasing and subtle dynamic swells rather than laying back passively. This tune rewards players who sing through the melody.
- Balance the saxophone line so it floats above the band without forcing the dynamics. The accompaniment should feel like it's supporting, not competing.
- Lock the rhythm section (bass and drums) into a relaxed swing feel from the first rehearsal. The groove underneath matters more than precision on downbeats.
- Let the rich harmonies breathe. Resist the urge to play strictly in tempo during the opening statements; slight rubato feels more authentic to the jazz idiom.
How to use it
Fit this into a concert featuring jazz standards or American musical traditions, ideally pairing it with other swing-era repertoire. It works equally well as a showcase for your soloist in a pops concert or as the centerpiece of a jazz-focused program.
Skills your students will build
- Swing articulation and phrasing in jazz style
- Listening to and responding to harmonic support while soloing
- Balance and blend in a big band texture
- Interpretation of jazz notation and rhythmic flexibility
- Sustained legato playing with dynamic control