This Is It!: Baritone Sax

Pure jet fuel. The fast pace and rock-inflected rhythms create immediate momentum, and the blues foundation gives the whole thing a gritty, grounded feel that sits somewhere between swing and contemporary energy. When it locks in, your ensemble will feel the power of playing together at this speed and intensity.

Jazz ensemble directors working at the Grade 3 level who want to program something with genuine rock and blues swagger. This works for ensembles with a steady rhythm section and competent trumpet section, especially those fielding a strong lead trumpet player or looking to feature a guest soloist.

• Lock the rhythm section (drums, bass, piano) together first. The groove has to be rock-solid before the horns layer on top, so rehearse the rhythm section as a separate unit initially.
• Dial in the trumpet section's upper register precision. The fast passages demand clean articulation and unified attack; mark those spots in rehearsal and isolate them until the section speaks as one.
• If you're using the optional additional trumpet part, position that soloist prominently in your mix during rehearsal. The sound balance shifts when you add it, so experiment with microphone placement if you're amplifying the ensemble.
• Keep the tempo steady and grounded. Fast jazz and rock charts live or die by the drummer's consistency, so establish a clear click and let the drummer feel the pocket before adding complexity.

This is a contest or festival standout that works equally well as a closing number on a jazz concert or as a mid-set energy boost. Program it alongside ballads or swing pieces to show the range of your ensemble, or use it as a finale to send the audience out on an adrenaline rush.

• Fast articulation and tonguing in the upper register
• Locking ensemble rhythm at brisk tempos
• Blues and rock phrasing with jazz inflection
• Reading and executing optional instrumental parts
• Balancing solo feature with ensemble cohesion