Ensembles that Feature the Saxophone
Jazz Ensembles
Jazz Ensembles: Jazz Ensembles feature the saxophone and often gives them many solo's. Jazz is a type of music that is very expressive, uses lots of improvisation, and syncopated rhythm. It relies on spontaneous, creative interactions among the performers. Swing bands (swing is a type of jazz that was developed in the 1930's) also feature the saxophone and embraces its unique sound and ability to play enjoyable music.
Different Types of Jazz:
Swing- A type of jazz developed in the 1930's to create an impact in large ballrooms.
Traditional / Trad Jazz- This type of jazz was developed in the 1920's when plenty jazz musicians went to work in Chicago and other places. The jazz was known as New Orleans / Dixieland Jazz now known as Trad / Traditional Jazz.
Cool Jazz- In the 1940's Cool Jazz was developed. It was more laid back, emotional, and gentler than modern jazz
Bebop / Modern Jazz- Modern Jazz was created when some jazz musicians thought swing was too dull, they started to experiment with harmony and rhythm and the end result was fiery, emotional, and loud
West Coast Jazz- In the 1950's a new type of jazz known as West Coast Jazz was created in California, it was more relaxed than bebop
Free Jazz- This type of jazz came out after West Coast Jazz, it ignored all rules about harmony and structure.
Different Types of Jazz:
Swing- A type of jazz developed in the 1930's to create an impact in large ballrooms.
Traditional / Trad Jazz- This type of jazz was developed in the 1920's when plenty jazz musicians went to work in Chicago and other places. The jazz was known as New Orleans / Dixieland Jazz now known as Trad / Traditional Jazz.
Cool Jazz- In the 1940's Cool Jazz was developed. It was more laid back, emotional, and gentler than modern jazz
Bebop / Modern Jazz- Modern Jazz was created when some jazz musicians thought swing was too dull, they started to experiment with harmony and rhythm and the end result was fiery, emotional, and loud
West Coast Jazz- In the 1950's a new type of jazz known as West Coast Jazz was created in California, it was more relaxed than bebop
Free Jazz- This type of jazz came out after West Coast Jazz, it ignored all rules about harmony and structure.
Saxophone Quartets
Saxophone Quartets: A saxophone quartet is a group of four saxophonists that play in harmony and form an ensemble. A saxophone quartet most often consists of a soprano, an alto, a tenor, and a baritone saxophone or two alto's, a tenor, and a baritone saxophone, however you may see other members of the saxophone family. Also you may sometimes see four of the same saxophones for a specific effect. A saxophone quartet may play homophonic or polyphonic music, with homophonic meaning that they all play the same notes and polyphonic meaning that they each play an independent line with the melody often overlapping.
Military Bands
Military Bands feature the saxophone in their line up. Saxophones are more common in military bands than orchestra's. A twenty four man military band will always at least have an alto sax and a tenor sax and in larger military bands you may find a baritone sax. The saxophones are supported by a sling around the players neck.
Rock and Roll Bands
Surprisingly, rock and roll bands contain saxophones too. A popular rock and roll band that did feature a saxophone is the E street band. The saxophonist was Clarence Clemons (you can find his bio in famous performers). A saxophone playing gives a band an all new sound, it can make the audience jump out of their seats with its meaningful sound!
Marching Bands
The saxophone is a popular instrument of choice in marching bands. Most marching bands usually have some type of saxophone in it. One saxophone that you would rarely see in a marching bands is the baritone saxophone because of its great size. It would be too heavy to march with it.