This week: Saxations

This week's assignment involves writing several new arrangements for the San Diego-based Saxations. Since 2013 I've arranged over 20 charts for this funky and entertaining band fronted by a fine saxophone foursome.

This present batch of tunes includes the Stones' Brown Sugar, Boyz II Men's I'll Make Love to You, Bruno Mars' Uptown Funk, and a medley of Jackson 5 tunes (as heard on American Idol). I believe they're presently developing repertoire for a Motown-themed show in the fall.

I love how on-the-ball these musicians are from a professional standpoint: they have a great musical concept; have built an excellent A-list team of rhythm section players, recording engineers and producers, arrangers, and so forth; and they are thoughtful about preparing for their big events. There's nothing rushed and impulsive in this project.

Here's a link to their first (self-titled) album. I arranged five of the ten tracks: Love Never Felt So Good, Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing, Natural Woman, Blurred Lines, and Play it Like You Mean It.