"Cheesy" Sax repertoire

[Rasputin]

I was invited to play small gigs in a rest-bar in my hometown. A small place, I doubt that most people who visit there are really into jazz (obviously, not the most popular music amongst russian immigrants here- like everywhere else come to think of it).

I am supposed to play with another guitarist, the owner told me that it is "soft-jazz oriented".

I would like to know where can I find a list of "wedding reception"/muzak/Kenny G, David Sanborn stuff to play. Or would you suggest another option- like playing from the real book with no improvisation (since anyway I've only started improv- only on blues and 2-5-1 forms)...

It's really important for me, because I have a huge stage-fear and I pretty much never played with anyone except with my teacher (he accompanied on piano)...

Thanks in advance, sorry if this isn't the right forum.

[Yofis]

Start with the standards right out of the Real Book. Nothing "chessey" about tried and true great songs. Satin Doll, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Take the A Train, Jumpin at the Woodside...

People will recognize these simple tunes and love you for it. As you get more comfortable playing these standards, you can improvise around the melodies and take on more complex tunes.

Never underestimate the power of the Standards...

[Rackety Sax]

I was invited to play small gigs in a rest-bar in my hometown. A small place, I doubt that most people who visit there are really into jazz (obviously, not the most popular music amongst russian immigrants here- like everywhere else come to think of it). ...


Ya never know, those Russian immigrants may be a heck of a lot more sophisticated listeners than you think. Consider that the well-known Jazzfestival Konfrontationen takes place in tiny Nickelsdorf, Germany.

Then again, maybe not...

[cpete]

I call that "Trailer Park Jazz" I'll add these as they don't have to be all standards and these work nice with guitarists
(or as I like to call them, guitar owners) Some of these are repetitive and lend themselves well to simple improv :

Spooky
Moondance
Ipanema
Breezin
Rio De Janeiro Blue
Europa
Sunny
Blues shuffs like CC rider (subdued of course)
Our Day will come (samba style)

And anything by Ozzie Ozborne :evil::evil::evil::evil::evil:

[crazydaisydoo]

All good so far, some more:

Black Orpheus
Misty
Have you met miss jones (Don't try and improv over the bridge, likewise Ipanema)
Blue Moon
Angel Eyes

These are all simple to play, and most people Hum along when I play them.

[JL]

I am supposed to play with another guitarist, the owner told me that it is "soft-jazz oriented".

I would like to know where can I find a list of "wedding reception"/muzak/Kenny G, David Sanborn stuff to play.

To me "soft-jazz oriented" suggests you can play jazz but play it softly. You don't have to play muzak or anything 'cheesy.' Yofis gave you a good answer.

[Rasputin]

Thanks for the suggestions, I shall get the Eb Real book soon and study with the jazzstandards.com site. My ignorance in the field of this fantastic pop music is shamefull.

When I said this thing about russians I should have said that in my view the music is viwed as a bacground of sorts... No doubt there will be some jazz fans anywhere, but this is not (sadly) pop music... Every standard is so much cooler than what you get now on MTV.

I forgot to mention (but yo'all kinda did) that Desifinado is a great example for such stuff. Ipanema girl etc.

[cpete]

I forgot to mention (but yo'all kinda did) that Desifinado is a great example for such stuff. Ipanema girl etc.[/QUOTE]

Ahh Elisha Graves Otis music

Moonglow
Fly me to the moon
Brazil
It had to be you
All of Me

[gary]

...and of course don't forget "Podmoskovnye Vechera". :twisted:

[eddierich]

You could probably throw in Those Were The Days (Дорогой длинною).

[cpete]

...and of course don't forget "Podmoskovnye Vechera". :twisted:

I don't know what it means, but I know what it means when this chick sings it :TGNCHK:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t3WYfgM4x8

[gary]

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