Tenor saxophone

William “Count” Basie was a pianist and bandleader who is still viewed today as “an American institution that personifies the grandeur and excellence of jazz” (Bluenote). Lester Young brought a new approach to jazz while performing in the big band. He was known for his soft and light tone, bringing a new and fresh swing feeling to jazz alongside his melodic improvisations. Young not only separated himself from several other notable musicians in the way he held his saxophone but through his various ways of phrasing while playing. Instead of driving it forward and playing on the beat, similar to the influential tenor saxophonist, Coleman Hawkins, Young held it back bringing a more relaxed feeling to it. American jazz vocalist and songwriter, Billie Holiday, recognized Young’s great talent and therefore nicknamed him “The Prez”, the president of the tenor saxophone. Lester Young released his first recording “Oh, Lady Be Good” with Count Basie on October 9, 1936. However, in December 1940, Young left the Count Basie Orchestra to officially form his own…

intermission a faculty ensemble. I decided for this report to select the most impactful song from each ensemble and write about their musical components. The student ensemble consisted of: a piano, a bass, drums, a guitar, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, and one baritone saxophone. This makes a total of 17 musicians plus one for Professor Paul McKee who was the conductor. The student ensemble was very large and was arrange/modeled after a…

In 1974, Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters performed live in Germany. Pianist Herbie Hancock was accompanied by Bennie Maupin on saxophone, Paul Jackson on electric bass, Mike Clark on drums, and Bill Summer on percussion. The group performed a total of 5 songs including “Palm Grease”, “Sly”, “Butterfly”, “Spank A Lee”, and “Chameleon”. The second track performed in the concert is “Sly” and runs for ten minutes. The song begins with saxophonist Bennie Maupin playing while the rest of the group…

being one of the most original instruments to this day? If so, the tenor saxophone is perfect for you! The tenor saxophone is a woodwind instrument that is very outstanding in jazz musical groups and is also one of the most important sounds in a concert or marching band because it plays the inner harmony parts or doubles the melodic lines in a musical piece. The Tenor is pitched in B flat and is larger and lower than the alto sax, but smaller and higher than the baritone sax. The tenor sax is a…

On April 21st, 2017, I went to the concert hold by Nocturne- a two years old club in Denver, and the Keith Oxman Quartet did a remarkable concert that night. The Keith Oxman Quartet is a Jazz band lead by Keith Oxman on tenor saxophone, and has Derek Banach on trumpet, Todd Reid on drums, and Jeff Jenkins on organ. Additionally, Jenkins was playing keyboard on April 21st. The Keith Oxman Quartet plays at Nocturne every Friday night between March 10th and April 28th. On last Friday evening, the…

The saxophone is a wonderful instrument. As a member of the reed and woodwind family of instruments it is usually compared to the clarinet or flute. As an instrument that could reach four octaves, there is much you can play and plenty of room for experimentation. Saxophones are normally made of brass to create their colorful, characteristic sound, but some, in the past have been made of copper, silver, bronze, and even plastic. There are four main saxophones that are commonly used which are…

Sheree Buchli Title: Physics of the Saxophone Investigated Summary: 1. Summary-Definition/Description of Alto Saxophone The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgium instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and patented in 1846. 2. Aim With this paper I am discussing existing knowledge on the physics of the Alto Saxophone, in particular the creation of sound. Introduction: 1. History The Saxophone is an instrument with a single…

The saxophone is one of, if not, the most played woodwind instruments available. It is just a very popular instrument in general for its unique sound, instrument variations and versatility, and difficulty of play. The instrument is generally made out of brass metal and produces sound through the vibration of a reed, or a piece of wood put in the mouthpiece of the instrument. The sound travels through the inside of the horn and comes out at the end projecting it out with a pitch (or note). The…

It was easy to identify the individual instruments or the vocal sounds by them standing up and perform their part. This selection would be something I would like to hear again because it was a beautiful experience and I got out something from it I have never experienced before in my life. Although I was expecting something different about the decorations, my reaction towards the concert was a wonderful experience. Another interesting part that was new to me that there was one or two instruments…

The extremely creative pianist/composer Angelica Sanchez brought a nonet to play at the Greenwich House in West Village, as part of their program dedicated to contemporary jazz and entitled Sound It Out. As explained to the audience, Ms. Sanchez is going to record soon with this group of relentless explorers/improvisers who are strictly connected to the modern-creative jazz scene. Its members are Chris Speed on tenor saxophone, Michael Attias on alto saxophone; Thomas Heberer on trumpet, Kirk…