Into the Blue

Into the Blue pays homage to the uniquely American style of jazz. The main, recurring melody, first played by the alto saxophone in the opening measure of the composition, outlines all of the notes found in a blues scale. Not only are a majority of the melodies and harmonic progressions based on the blues scale, but the composition even references jazz inspired compositions. It also employs swung melodies, drum set fills, big band-esque shout choruses, and many other jazz-originated orchestrations and techniques, in a wind ensemble homage to the blues.