Young Jazz Ensemble Collection: 2nd E-flat Alto Saxophone Book

These charts capture the joy of ensemble jazz: the shimmer of saxophones locked in harmony, the swing of a rhythm section grooving together, the character shifts from the coolness of "Misty" to the infectious bounce of "Burritos to Go." You'll feel the difference between playing arranged music and playing jazz.

Young jazz ensemble programs with saxophone sections ready to explore real jazz literature. This book works for students transitioning from concert band into jazz ensembles or for directors building a jazz curriculum at the middle or early high school level.

• Balance the section by checking the harmonic weight of your voicing. The 2nd alto sits in the middle of the saxophone section, so your tone needs to blend upward into the lead alto's line while anchoring downward toward the tenors.
• Pay close attention to the rhythm section cues, especially on the swing tunes. The written rhythms in the piano and bass parts give you the pocket; locking in there transforms an arrangement from playable to swinging.
• When soloing sections are written out, treat them as learning transcriptions first. Study the melodic phrasing and harmonic choices before you perform, then use that understanding to build toward your own improvisations once you're comfortable.

Distribute these charts across your concert season to give students exposure to multiple jazz styles without requiring a separate jazz curriculum. "Take Five" and "Jumpin' at the Woodside" work well as ensemble centerpieces; the holiday chart fits naturally into December programming; and the faster swing charts build energy in a set. With twelve titles, you can rotate material year to year and challenge different saxophone players with different second parts as your ensemble evolves.

• Reading and performing swing rhythms and articulation
• Blending within a saxophone section and balancing harmonic voicings
• Responding to rhythm section cues and playing with a walking bass and timekeeping drums
• Interpreting written solo sections and understanding jazz melody and harmony
• Playing across multiple styles (ballad, Latin, rock, blues, standards)
• Reading 5/4 time signature and mixed-meter changes