Hello gang-
My son has the good fortune to be involved in the concert band at high school, and is 2nd alto sax (yeah, I'm proud of him) in a band of over 120 students. Well, his music director is one of these over-the-top type A educators who just loves the kids and the music, and does everything he can to expand the minds of these students. He set up a "guest artist" series, where a professional on a particular instrument will come in for a few days, work with them, and then do a joint concert, performing half or so of the show themselves, and then do a couple numbers with the band.
Last night was the most amazing one I have yet seen. A group called the New Century Sax Quartet came and did the Christmas concert with the high school band. They are hard to desribe, but probably it's best put as Chamber Music for Sax. You have to hear it to believe it. You can find sound samples at
New Century Sax Quartet Christmas

Check out "We Four Kings" if nothing else- the song builds into a really cool mix of melodies, and on "God rest ye merry gentle Mensch" they have a few special effects like whistles and kazoo like sounds to add a touch of humor.
They are known in the educational community and the classical press, but there's a shot of jazz in about everything they do, which is why I decided to tell you guys about them. If you appreciate classical done really well and with a sense of humor, you'll like these guys.
The arrangements (obviously Christmas songs) from last night were just stunning; not so much from the virtuosity of the players, (although they are top flight, and could blow circles around most players,) but from the uniqueness of each tune and the near perfect balance of sounds from the saxes- the harmonies were never dissonant, always rich and full. The mix (bari, tenor, alto, and curved soprano) sounded astonishing, it was just so pure.
The bari sax player last night is a new player, she had just joined them last week as one of the fouders of the band is moving on, and she was a great fit- you would think these guys have played together for years. (two have, for 15 years) She was formerly in the Navy Band.
One of the tunes is an arrangement of Carol of the Bells by Lenny Pickett of Tower of Power, and it's funky.
If you like this sort of thing, it's really different and worth seeking out.
I bought the Christmas CD for my son, he's already listening to it now- I think it's opening his eyes to a different side of the sax, back to it's roots so to speak. He and four other band menmers had put together a chamber version of "O come O come Emmanuel" and played with the NCSQ, who just loved it. It was just one of those nights that you rarely expect to hear at a high school band concert.
It's not contemporary jazz, but it's a beautiful use of one of our favorite instruments.
Cheers to all, and to all a good day
TonyY