Classical & Jazz Crossover Saxophone Music

In general, when I first meet someone and tell them that I play the saxophone, most of the people assume that I am a jazz player, as saxophone is an iconic jazz instrument. I have totally accepted this fact long time ago but at the same time I take this as an opportunity to let people introduce about the classical saxophone music and the color of sound to which they may not have encountered before. Even though that my performance place is in concert halls rather in jazz clubs, I do love jazz music. Although I do feel that my concept of sound and the music I like to play has been inclined more towards the classical musical genre. This is just a side note but, I did get my minor in Jazz Studies during my Doctorate in Musical Arts (DMA) at USC Thornton School of Music and I have been in multiple jazz combos so I have immersed myself enough in jazz more than a lot of people imagine(including my students! 😜).

I tend to love transcribing classical music from the baroque, classical and romantic era, or playing pieces that are originally written for the saxophone. At the same time classical-jazz crossover pieces is fun and lets me explore my sound! There are quite some saxophone compositions that have been written that crosses over. I have recorded the Nicolai Kapustin’s Saxophone Concerto with a pianist, which is very elaborate and introduces some different jazz stylistic characters and requires the pianist to be able to understand the jazz language as well.

I highly recommend Kapustin’s composition. He was a pianist and had written many pieces for keyboard- very intricate jazz style but requires technical ability of classical. He has several composition that requires saxophone but the Duet, Op.99 for alto saxophone and cello is a really cool piece.

Duet, Op. 99 For Alto Saxophone and Cello. Composed by Nikolai Kapustin. This edition: Saddle stitching. Sheet music. Ensemble. Classical, Contemporary. Softcover. Composed 1999. Op. 99. 48 pages. Duration 13' 20''. Schott Music #ED22278. Published by Schott Music (HL.49044827).

Chick Corea’s Saxophone Sonata “Florida to Tokyo” has been my recent find! This was written for the Japanese classical saxophone virtuoso Sugawa Nobuya. He premiered this piece at the World Sax Congress XVIII in 2018.

Florida to Tokyo From Nobuya Sugawa's Collection “Saxy Ever” Alto Saxophone and Piano. By Chick Corea. Arranged by Nobuya Sugawa. Woodwind Solo. Classical, Jazz. Softcover. 54 pages. Duration 810 seconds. Zen-On #ZN560028. Published by Zen-On (HL.49046263).

Another saxophone piece, that I believe that has become a standard piece in the classical saxophone repertoire is the Blue Caprice (1981) for solo saxophone by Victor Morosco (b.1936) . He is a unique concert saxophonist who has achieved an international reputation as a performer of classical and improvised music, an educator, clinician, and composer. He moved to Los Angeles from NY in 1968 and was engaged in recording for major motion pictures, television and phonograph records, as well as continuing his career as a soloist, composer and a teacher. (from his website). This piece starts out with a robust melody and exhibits some of the LA movie scenes of 60-70s.

Blue Caprice for Alto Saxophone Solo Composed by Victor Morosco. Woodwinds - Saxophone. Alry Publications #S03. Published by Alry Publications (AY.S03).

I find it fascinating to encounter music that crosses over the genre! I hope you enjoy some of the music presented above!