Russell Peterson has written,
arranged and transcribed several saxophone quartets. Here are
a list of some of them:
Each chart has been graded by level of difficulty:
1-2 easy
3-4 medium
5-6 difficult
Many of these charts have been recorded by the Hard-Bop Saxophone Quartet.
April in Paris - arr. P. Liversage - Almost an exact transcription of the
great Basie band's arr. Lead alto plays the screach trumpet line! Blowing in the alo 2. (AATB) Grade 4
Hard-Bop Sax Quartet LIVE MP3 of April in Paris (5.1megs)
Blue Bossa - K.Dorham/R. Peterson A screaming,
yet humorous version of this great tune, with a chance for the
alto to "do their thing" on an unaccompanied improv
solo over the changes. Plus, another open section for the tenor,
this time over a d minor vamp. One of my favorites. Grade 4. AATB or SATB
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO "BLUE BOSSA" (4.2 megs) (The Transcontinental Sax Quartet)
Blue Flurry - Russell Peterson
A c minor rock tune with an open blowing section for any player. Little 7/8 section alsoto keep you on your toes... Grade 4.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO "Blue Flurry"
Blue Rondo ala Turk - arr. Sommerfeld
This is a straight run down of this famous tune. Open blowing for alto and soprano. Lots of fun for the quartet
and
a real standard crowd pleaser. Grade 4.
click here to hear Blue Rondo ala Turk!
Blues Walk - arr. P. Liversage - Great
Clifford Brown tune that features all 4 members of the group on blues
solos. The soprano and tenor trade of on a transcription of Clifford
Brown's and Harold Land's solos. Not easy, but great licks. Tenor and
soprano will need to woodshed this one. (SATB) Grade 5
Hard-Bop Sax Quartet LIVE MP3 of Blues Walk (5.1megs)
Central Park West - J. Coltrane/D.
Murry/trans. Turner A transcription of the great Coltrane
tune from the World Sax Quartet.
The Christening Blues - Russell Peterson
- A burning chart based on fourths and other interesting harmonies.
Lots of tricky technical demands, ensemble passages, as well as
solo sections for the alto and tenor. Not to mention a few humorous
honks and blats to get everyones attention! Very difficult - espically
for the first alto, lots of altissimo runs....have fun! Grade
6.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO A SHORT SCTION OF
"CHRISTENING BLUES"
Festival de Sao Paulo - P. Liversage - A great latin tune with blowing in the
Sop and tenor. We sometimes have a guest percussionist sit in with us on this. Or just aux percssion things, shakers,
etc. Nice sax soli in the middle. Great groove on this tune. (SATB) Grade 5
Hard-Bop Sax Quartet LIVE MP3 Festival de Sao Paulo (5.4megs)
Fly to a Lantern - Paul Liversage-
Groovin' rock tune. Optional drum part. Open blowing for rock-n-roll
alto and soprano! Must provide your own Marshall stacks! Grade 4.
an excerpt of Fly to a Lantern(450 K) from the new Hard-Bop Sax Quartet CD!
Footprints - W. Shorter/R. Peterson -
A battle between Wayne Shorter and David Sanborn! Jumps between
the traditional 3/4 groove and a 4/4 rock, with a difficult mixed
meter tutti section in the middle. Lots of blowing for the tenor
and alto. Not the those who can't count! Grade 5
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO "Footprints"
(5.4 megs)
Foxy Lady - J. Hendrix/R. Peterson Are
you ready for this one? Not for those quartets with tight behinds!
You've got to ham this one up, but the people go nuts! Alto melody
with a crazy middle section incorporating lots of extended techniques
including: multiphonics, screams, honks and an Jimi Hendrix "Acid-Trip"
cadenza for the first alto! You've never done a chart like this!
Do you have the guts? (optional "burning the sax" section
in the middle - lighter fluid not included). Grade 5. AATB
MP3 - Hi Fi Version of "FOXY LADY"
(6.0megs) MP3 - Lo Vi Version(2.9megs)
Georgia on my mind - H. Charmicael/Russ Peterson
My signature tune. This alto feature started off as an arrangement
for Dr. John Sampen to perform with the Toledo Zoo Band, and was
quickly transcribed for sax quartet. Also available for sax and
piano, solo sax and band, and solo sax and orchestra. This will
bring them to their feet...guaranteed! Funky and with a touch
of gospel, no one has ever been able not sit still during this
one! Great for those of us who love to scream the blues! Big set
of cadenzas at the end that is sure to bring it home. Have fun
with this one, I always do. Grade 3
Sax Quartet Version CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
TO A SHORT SCTION OF "GEORGIA ON MY MIND" (3.1megs)
Sax and Band Version! (7.5megs)
How about a Sax and jazz Band Version!
Gospel Fever! - Russ Peterson
Up tempo Gospel feel. Lots of energy and blowing for the first alto.
Including a stop time section in the middle and an "AMEN" cadenza at
the end! (aatb). Grade 4. AATB or SATB.
Listen to a live version of Gospel Fever!
Got a Match? - C. Corea/R.
Peterson A real smoker! Try to keep up with Chick's transcribed
solo ala super sax! Lots of trading between all 4 players (aatb).
All players need to be in tip-top shape - the most challenging
chart on the list. Grade 6. AATB
The Happy Song - Robert
Watson/trans. Peterson
- Transcribed 'almost note for note' from the 29th Street Sax Quartet
recording on "Live" (Red Record 123223 2). Fun vamp tune, that lets you
introdude each player and go into the audience for a jam! Great fun,
and very "happy"! Grade 3
Hattie Wall - Hamiet Bluiett/trans.
Peterson - The World Saxophone Quartet at their best! This
is right from the original recording and will drop people's jaws!
A must for all serious jazz sax quartets, and a great experience
for beginners! Grade 2. AATB
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO
OF "HATTIE WALL" (2.2megs)
Hayle Mail - P. Liversage - Ryhthm Changes tune with blowing in all 4 saxes.
Big sax soli with lots of bird quotes. Great for advanced groups looking for a fast rhythm changes
tune. (SATB) Grade 5
Hard-Bop Sax Quartet LIVE MP3 of Hayle mail(6.1megs)
Hesitation Blues - Nick
Brignola/R. Peterson A chance for the baritone player to shine!
Blues in G concert - a real nice open blow for the bari player,
while the tenor walks the bass line for a change! Grade 3. AATB or SATB.
I'm Free - Russell Peterson
- One of my originals, a simple reggae type tune, with an open
blowing section for the 2nd alto. An easy chart that's a nice
change for a set of swing and be-bop tunes. Grade 2
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO A SHORT SCTION OF
"I'M FREE" (650k)
In a Sentimental Mood - arr. Peterson -
This arr. features the first alto on this beautiful melody. The quartet joins in
with interesting harmonies (fourths and altered chords). Short sax soli, short
imporv. for the first alto with some cadenzas. Beautiful ballad. Duke knew what
he was doing. (AATB) Grade 3.
In Case You Missed it - R.
Watson/R. Peterson Almost an exact transcription of the recorded
version by the 29th street sax quartet on "Underground"
(Antilles 422-848 415-2). A fun improv for the alto and tenor.
One of my favorites! (AATB) Grade 4
La Fiesta - Chick Corea/arr.
Paul Liversage - Roughly translated into "The Fiesta", this great tune by Chick Corea has been arr.
for the Hard-Bop Sax Qaurtet by it's tenor player Paul Liversage.
A workout for the bari player and a really nice open blowing section
for the soprano. As recorded on "Don't
Step on your Neck" by the Hard-Bop quartet. (satb) Grade
3
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO A SHORT SCTION of La Fiesta
Lil' Darlin
- Hefti/arr. Sommerfeld - A great arr. of this med./ballad-ish tune,
with solo space for all 4 saxes and a little sax soli. Nice change of pace for a up tempo program. Grade 3. SATB.
Love for Sale - C. Porter/J.
Hartog A transcription of the 29th Street Sax Quartet's version.
This is a latin version of this great tune, that features the
alto. One of my favorites! Grade 3
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO LOVE FOR SALE (4.1megs)
L'ultima Canzone - R. Peterson
"The Last Tune" in Italian, dedicated to the alto
player in the Transcontinental Saxophone Quartet, Marco
Albonetti. We always end our concert with this one. Written with
an optional "walk-out-in-the-crowd" vamp. Cheesy? Maybe,
but it always brings them to their feet! Grade 3
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO "L'ULTIMA CANZONA" (2.5meg)
Manteca - Dizzy/arr. Patnode This great
chart by Dizzy works super for AATB quartet. Arr. by Matt Patnode of
the Hard-Bop Sax Quartet. Blowing for the 2 Altos and Bari! Quotes
"Freedom jazz dance". (aatb). Optional Bass and Aux percussion parts.
Grade 4
3
Hear an excerpt of Manteca from the new Hard-Bop Sax Quartet CD!
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy - arr. Peterson This
one will knock their socks off! Funky/Gospel groove that can feature
altos and tenor. Now available for bassoon quartet, wind quintet,
and brass ensemble! Get 'em all! Grade 3
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO A SHORT SCTION OF
"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" MP3 Format(1.6 megs)
Minimal - Russell Peterson - A piece
inspired by the writings of Steve Reich and John Adams. Rhythmic
figures repeated in a 'minimalistic' way. Fast, lots of energy,
lots of notes, difficult counting, very flashy! No improvising.
Grade 5 (satb)
Listen to a midi version of Minimal.
My little suede shoes - C.
Parker/R. Watson/trans. Peterson
- This is an 'almost note for note' transcription of the standard Bird
tune from the "Live" 29th street sax quartet recording. Features the
alto on a straight
ahead run down of the tune. Lots of fun and a real crowd pleaser!
Grade 3
Ming - Dave Murry/trans.
Turner This beautiful ballad by David Murray is great at any
gig. Grade 2
A Night in Tunisia - D.
Gillespie/Balakrishnan/Peterson - Transcription from the Turtle
Island String Quartet recording. Melody and improvization in the
alto. That famous bass line in the bari part, so watch out! Great
arrangement! (AATB) Grade 5
A Nightingale Sang in Berkely Square
- E. Maschwitz/Shapiro/Peterson - An arrangement of the
famous Manhattan Transfer version of this great tune. Lots
of great harmonies for the SATB set up. A nice ballad to add to
the set. Grade 2
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO "A Nightingale sang on Berkely Square"
(4.9 megs)
No Fast Funk - Russ Peterson
Another original composition. A real funky/bluesey experience.
Lots of high notes for the lead alto and a funky fugue section
in the middle. You'll like this one, guaranteed. Grade 4
Perdido - arr. Liversageopens with a
choral, then into a up tempo swing feel of this famous tune. Open
blowing for bari and a tough sax soli. Lots of fun for the quartet and
a real standard crowd pleaser. Grade 4.
click here to hear Perdido!
The Root of all Evil - Russell Peterson
- A minor 7/4 tune with blowing in both the altos. Very cool ensemble
writing in between solos. More creative and disonate harmonies
and melodies then some of the other charts listed, but still very
accessible for players and audience.
MP3 Format - (5.5megs). This was recorded live with the
Hard-Bop Sax Quartet.
AATB Grade 5.
September - Earth Wind and Fire - arr. R. Peterson
For aatb, this
Classic "Earth, Wind & Fire" tune is one of the happiest tunes I
know. Works great for sax quartet! Basic run down of the
tune (with optional percussion works great). First alto has to do
lots of altissimo (falsetto a la Maurice White). No improv.
called for, but you can always add it if you feel it!
Sing a Song of Songs - Kenny Garrett/arr R. Peterson
For aatb, this is a beautiful tune written by the great Kenny Garrett.
Nice, easy, repetative groove in the bari and tenor, with a
simple melody played by the altos. Blowing in the first alto.
Grade 2
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO A SHORT SCTION
OF "Sing a Song of Songs"
Star Spangled Banner - arr. Peterson
- AATB - this is a screaming arrangement that lets the first alto
blow some crazy high notes at the end of the chart. We've done it at sporting events and crowds go nuts.
Grad 4.
Click here to hear Star Spangled Banner
Stolen Moments - Oliver
Nelson/Peterson An exact version of the original Oliver Nelson
tune. This C minor blues gives the altos or tenor a chance to
improvise, while the bari walks the dog. Grade 2
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO STOLEN MOMENTS (3.9megs)
Stratocaster - Chris Hamady Stratocaster
is a piece for saxophone quartet that incorporates a hard rock
sound. As I started to write Stratocaster, it became clear to
me that I was writing a guitar-like piece of music. The melodies
and scales reminded me of heavy metal guitar licks. The 7/8 section
was designed specifically for an alto saxophonist who can improvise
like a guitarist in a rock band while the rest of the group creates
a tight groove of "power chords". Besides needing a
formidable alto saxophonist in the group, the piece demands exceptional
rhythmic accuracy and a good sense of rock style to pull it off.
Grade 4
Summertime - G. Gershwin/R.
Peterson This great standard is designed to be done with additional
soloist, ie. singer, trumpet, or featuring one of the guys in
the group. Great for a sit-in session. Simple and swinging. Grade
2
click here to hear a live version of summertime! (Hard-Bop Sax quartet concert around 2002?)
Thrash - Russell Peterson - A minor pentatonic/Rock-n-Rollish
chart with lots of energy and zip. Features the two altos blowing
over an A minorish vamp accompanied by the bari and tenor playing
power chords. Up tempo and lots of altissimo for the altos.
live version #1 (3.6megs)
live version #2 (3.6megs)
AATB or SATB, Grade 4.
Turner-over - R. Peterson
Dedicated to Keith Turner from Bedford, Ohio! This satb original
has an open vamp for any or all saxes to improvis on. Very rhythmically
complex and a gas to blow on! Inspired from the pen of Mike Mower
from "Itchy Fingers." Grade 5
Well you Needn't - Monk/arr. P. Liversage - Great version of this great Monk tune.
Blowing in the Alto and tenor. Big sax soli that's not easy (parts of a cannonball solo) (SATB) Grade 5
Hard-Bop Sax Quartet partial LIVE MP3 of Well you needn't(3.1megs)
Wheel within a Wheel - Robert
Watson/trans. Peterson - This is a 3/4 tune that features
the alto and tenor on some great changes. Transcribed 'almost note for
note' from the 29th Street Sax Quartet recording on "The Real
Deal" (New Note NN1006). Grade 3
....Who Needs Enemies? - Russell Peterson
- For Saxophone Quartet and Concert Band! Smokin' sax quartet
playing, while the band parts are easy enough for a good high
school band to handle. Lots of playing for all four solo saxes,
optional imrovising for all 4. Lots of fun ensemble playing, and
it ends with a bang! Lots of altissimo for the altos....go practice
your high notes. Grade 6. CLICK HERE TO
LISTEN TO A SHORT SCTION OF "...Who Needs Enemies?"
(1.6 meg) (Sax Quartet Version) Wave Format
Sax Quartet and Band Version! MP3 Format - Hi
fi version (8.1megs) Lo
fi version (3.6 megs)
You're the One - R. Peterson
A beautiful rock ballad that features the first alto. Not too
technically difficult but great funky feel, and beautiful changes
to improvise on. Grade 2.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO A SHORT SCTION OF
"YOU'RE THE ONE" - From the Hard-Bop Sax Quartet CD "Don't step on your neck"
To view some of Russell Peterson's other more "classical"
compositions, please check here.
If you are interested in any of these charts, please
to email Russell Peterson.
