Two Dances (Alto Sax and Piano)

Some pieces are content to pick a lane and stay in it. Two Dances for Alto Saxophone is not that piece. Written in one continuous arc for alto saxophone and piano, the work makes a pretty sharp left turn about halfway through — and that's entirely the point.

The first dance is lyrical and unhurried, giving the saxophone room to do what it does best: sing. Flowing and graceful, it settles into its own pace without any particular urgency. The second dance has other ideas. Tango-inspired and firmly in the driver's seat, it brings a rhythmic energy and swagger that makes the first half feel like a distant memory. Together, the two halves make a case that the alto saxophone is one of the most versatile voices in the room — equally at home floating on a melodic line or cutting loose on a dance floor.