We Three Kings of Orient Are - Saxophone Quintet

Saxophone Quintet (SATTB)

We Three Kings of Orient Are is one of my favorite English carols that I sang in my childhood, updated to play with jazz quartets in concerts. This Saxophone Quintet version (soprano, alto, 2 tenors and baritone) sets the originally solemn melody in a swinging reggae groove that slides into a gospel-sounding refrain with rich jazz harmonies.

Solo space for soprano saxophone over the reggae groove leads to a development section resolving to the extreme high and low ranges of the quintet. A short quasi-baroque treatment, 2 quick key modulations, a dash of modal harmony, and a return to the reggae/gospel make this romp challenging fun for the players and a short jazz and reggae trip for the listeners!