Saxoblues
Jazz Saxophone Orchestra

Saxoblues
Tom Zinninger
Jazz Saxophone Orchestra

Saxoblues by Tom Zinninger for Jazz Saxophone Orchestra. Saxoblues is a fun, laid back, hard swinging composition for 10 saxophones written in the traditional big band jazz style. Though lacking any standard rhythm section instruments, the piece contains many of the customary jazz elements including sax solis, improvised solos, backgrounds, a shout chorus, walking bass lines, extended harmonies, and of course a heavy dose of the blues. Set over a 12-bar blues form, the piece opens with layered features in the baris, tenors, altos, and finally sopranos which serve as the primary musical exposition of the work. During some of the more sparsely scored sections of the piece, some saxophonists are asked to act as the rhythm section by providing percussive key clicks. These help to keep the piece swinging by getting everyone involved in the fun groove. The composition as a whole will likely present several technical and stylistic challenges to any group and hopefully adds a bit more diversity to the typical large saxophone ensemble repertoire.

The following parts are included in this arrangement:

• • Condensed Score
  • Soprano Saxophone 1-2
  • Alto Saxophone 1-2-3
  • Tenor Saxophone 1-2
  • Baritone Saxophone 1-2-3
  • Bass Saxophone
    • Bari  sax 3 (bass sax double) should only be used if there is no bass saxophone.

• The range for each saxophone part is shown below.
• Audio and score excerpts are available above.
• Registered users can download a complete sample score and full-length performance of of Saxoblues by Tom Zinninger performed by the by the South Texas Saxophone Orchestra on the ‘Samples’ tab.

About the Composer

Tom Zinninger

Originally from Louisville KY, Dr. Thomas Zinninger has worked as an active saxophonist, composer, arranger, and music educator for the past 20 years. Equally comfortable in a number of styles, his musical experience ranges from combo and big band jazz to classical chamber and orchestral music.

Zinninger ‘s performance credits include the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, the Kingsville Symphony Orchestra, the Frank Simon Band, the Chamber Winds of Louisville, the Blue Wisp Big Band, and the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra. As a soloist, he has premiered new arrangements for the saxophone at the 16th World Saxophone Congress in St. Andrews Scotland, as well as the 2012, 2014, and 2017 North American Saxophone Alliance Conferences.

Zinninger is currently the Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Jazz at Texas A & M University Kingsville. His duties include teaching applied saxophone, directing the jazz combo and saxophone chamber ensemble programs, teaching saxophone methods, and teaching courses in jazz improvisation. Prior to joining the TAMUK faculty in 2018, he held the Instructor of Saxophone position at Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH where he also directed the jazz ensemble and taught music appreciation. Zinninger has also served both as a graduate assistant and on the faculty at the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) in Cincinnati, OH. He received a Bachelors in Music Education from the University of Louisville, and a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies and Doctorate of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance from CCM.