The Best of Big and Easy, Volume 2: E-flat Baritone Saxophone Book

Story's arrangements in this collection balance immediate playability with genuine musicality, giving baritone saxophonists genuinely satisfying parts rather than filler lines. The song selection spans generations and genres, so you can program from this book without worrying about repertoire variety or audience appeal.

These arrangements sparkle with personality. Whether you're launching into 'Funkytown,' swinging through 'Twisting the Night Away,' or delivering the iconic 'Dragnet' theme, the baritone sax part sits in the pocket where it belongs, supporting groove and driving the ensemble forward with confidence.

Marching bands and jazz ensembles at the Grade 2 level seeking straightforward, repertoire-rich arrangements with genuine performance payoff. This book works especially well for directors who need quick turnaround pieces that still satisfy musicians and audiences.

• Focus on locking in with the electric bass and drumset; these arrangements rely on rhythm section pocket to drive the groove and support your melodic lines.
• Keep your tone warm and centered on the lower register work, especially in blues and funk-inflected tunes, where solidity matters more than brightness.
• Listen through complete keyboard voicings during rehearsal to understand harmonic context, particularly in pieces like 'Blues in the Night' where baritone sax anchors the harmony.

Build a concert or outdoor performance entirely from this single book; the variety here lets you program across decades and moods without switching materials. Alternatively, use individual selections as opening numbers or closer pieces in a longer program, particularly the uptempo funk and pop-oriented charts that guarantee audience engagement.

• Reading and executing syncopated rhythmic patterns in funk and swing contexts
• Blending with rhythm section instruments (electric bass, drums, keyboard)
• Navigating blues and boogie-woogie harmonic language
• Maintaining consistent tone and intonation in ensemble settings with electronic accompaniment
• Understanding stylistic articulation differences across pop, blues, and funk idioms