Musical Brainsstorm Help Requested: Need Examples of Saxophone (Vanity)

N/A ^ | 10/3/2010 | N/A

[Lou L]

Greetings, fellow Freepers...my 10 year-old has recently taken up a musical instrument, the saxophone. She's interested, and although there's an obviously long road ahead, I was hoping to collect some examples of the saxophone to get her some additional exposure to the sound.

Looking for musically-inclined to assist with a brain-storming list. Obviously, I'd like to hear examples of jazz or blues, but I'd like to include rock, pop, and even orchestral genres as well. What songs or artists would you suggest as a good example of saxophone play?

[Arthur McGowan]

Look up Dan Levinson’s CD of pieces made popular by the Six Brown Brothers. The Six Brown Brothers really put the saxophone on the map.

On YouTube, search for Paul Whiteman, B.A. Rolfe, Fred Waring, George Olsen, Fred Rich, Ben Selvin, etc. Tons of music built around the saxophone.

[ItsForTheChildren]

There's just not a lot of stuff around for saxophone and orchestra, which is too bad.

I've always liked the Sonata Op.19 by Paul Creston (Alto Sax and Piano) and apparently someone has arranged it for Alto Sax and Orchestra now. Not too bad. I'll give you a taste of how an alto sax blends with an orchestra. There are three movements - this link is to the first.

Alto sax was also used by Modest Mussorgsky in The Old Castle. It starts just after the solo bassoon intro.

Jazz-wise I've always tended to go more towards the big bands and really like the way Gordon Goodwin writes for the sax section, so try any of the Big Phat Band CDs. Several of the CDs come with a DVD so you can see them in concert, too.

For something completely different here's the relatively new Tubax, an Eb Contrabass sax.

Good luck to your daughter. Sax is a great instrument!

[Shimmer1]

Kenny G

[Eric Roelfsema]

I am sax player also. I have a soprano, alto and tenor, which I play most.

I recommend listening to Kenny G (whom I have seen 2 times in concert), David Sanborn, Charlie Parker, Boots Randolph, Michael Brecker and many of the others listed.

I am also going to suggest one of my old high school classmates. Here is his facebook website, http://www.reverbnation.com/davetamburello. On this Dave plays Alto, Tenor and the EWI, which is like an electronic saxophone.

For you Michiganders reading this, I will be performing with the Forest Hills Adult Community Band on October 24 at the Forest Hills Eastern High School Auditorium at 2:30pm in Grand Rapids, MI

[Revolting cat!]

But seriously, teach her to discern, and discriminate. You don't want recommend to a budding writer Danielle Steele, or to a beginning painter The Painter of Lite, whatsisname. I see some excellent recommendations above but Kenny G?

[Lou L]

You make a good point, but at this stage of the game, I’. Just trying to let her hear for herself.

[usnadad]

Traffic - Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Springsteen - Jungleland

[dfwgator]

Avoid anything by Ornette Coleman.

[Arthur McGowan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ix2h1SIUsc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JKO7yL5Ikw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3LS0PDFuR0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa-YHhpOQ94

[ancientart]

Thought there would be lots of Paul Desmond fans on Free Republic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtgQXQdyufQ

[dfwgator]

Kenny G is the Official Soundtrack of Hell.

[dfwgator]

Pat Metheny, “Every Day (I Thank You)” with the late Michael Brecker.

[Shimmer1]

Well, she wanted a wide range. I like him.

[LibFreeOrDie]

Gerry Mulligan, Paul Desmond.

[kalee]

Branford Marsalis

[Canedawg]

You mentioned rock, and this is about THE coolest song recorded in the rock genre.

The sax riff during the last minute of the song is a classic (it was used in a commercial by a major company a year or two ago).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ88oTITMoM

[xp38]

I would do some research into Ben Webster.

[paulycy]

There is a LOT of saxophone quintet music and Quintessence is one of the most famous classical sax ensembles. A few friends of mine played for years in the Disneyland Sax Quintet - Soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and contrabass sax.

Quintessence plays Vivaldi.

[Frantzie]

LOL! My old dentist played a smooth jazz station. I hear Kenny G and think of a root canal. The guy plays too many notes. The Chuck Mangione of the sax. Listen to Chuck play the fluegelhorn on Gonna Fly(?) and he straining all over the place for notes.

Or Kenny G is the Yanni of the sax. Yanni composes ear wash BS music.

I do not like Sting but the black guy playing soprano sax on Englishman in NY is very good. It is not a Marsalis as far as a I know. Sting is an insufferable twit. Nice song though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMXCPANHeYM&ob=av3e

[mrsdeb]

Re John Coltrane, I was going to bring up “So What”, but was afraid a taste of Miles Davis would make his daughter give up the sax for the trumpet instead :-).