Andrew Wilson’s American Jazz and More Saxophone is a collection of six pieces for saxophone. It is currently set on both the ABRSM and Trinity College exam syllabuses.

CALIFORNIAN COAST: All the excitement of a sunshine holiday should influence the style and liveliness the soloist should capture in their performance of this piece. The soloist has an obligato tune in the middle section accompanying the piano.

MIAMI SUNSET: Indulge in the colour of the harmonies to enhance the relaxed feel to this sentimental tune as you watch the sun set over the shores of Miami.

CHICAGO SIDEWALK: This piece has a more modern approach to the harmonies while the instrumental part remains simple but quite rhythmic. The mood is dark and relaxing with long musical phrases. The melody is constructed over two different modes: the Aeolian and the Lydian. The two modes used for the improvised solo are the Lydian and the haunting Phrygian mode, both of which come from the same major scale to simplify the solo.

LAS VEGAS CASINO: Project the highly energetic nature of this piece through the rhythms and the articulation. The piece can be extended to include an improvised solo using the blues scale given or the more advanced player can improvise over the written chord sequence.

HOLLYWOOD STARS: Glamour, film stars, and show business are the setting for this grand and glittery piece. Imagine the fanfare as the stars arrive for the awards ceremony. The solo line should be played in a sustained and flowing way to achieve a majestic feel to the music.

NEW YORK SUBWAY: Feel the hustle and bustle of the fast-moving subway system. The energy is created here by a lively 6/8 time signature outlining the shuffle feel. The soloist’s ‘off beat’ rhythms should fit exactly with the piano accompaniment and, again, there is the opportunity to extend the piece with an improvised solo.

Set on the Trinity College Jazz Saxophone syllabus from 2022. Grade 3  Group A: Californian Coast or Las Vegas Casino* (with CD track 8, jump to alternate ending for improv) or New York Subway (Alto and Tenor Sax).

Set on the ABRSM Grade 4 List B: Hollywood Stars (Alto/Baritone and Tenor/Soprano)

Previously Published by Spartan Press
Former catalogue number: SP569