Story Behind The Song

Played this song every night upon request for two years at a beach hotel in New York in the late 50's...a time when the "tenor of the times" was happy and people felt good about things. The pulse of today may have changed but this music perfectly describes the days when most everyone felt upbeat and good about themselves.

Song Description

CRYIN' SAXES by Joe Procopio is an exclusive solo for two saxophones based on the shuffle beat - known as the Shag down South. It is great Dance Music with a "swing" feel and was extremely popular in the Fifties. The Shag is still popular in the Carolinas and remains the State Dance for South Carolina. CRYIN' SAXES has a melody that imitates the sobbing sound of someone crying with a "Boo Hoo", "Boo Hoo" "Boo Hoo" imitation written in the notes. This is done humorously with no serious intention. It is all in GREAT FUN. Speaking from personal experience, I have found few pieces in popular Saxophone Music that gives people so much listening pleasure along with the desire to dance as does CRYIN' SAXES and its cousin HONKIN' HORNS. [The music here is written for Two Alto Saxophones or for Alto and Tenor Saxophone with a small combo of Piano, Guitar, Bass and Drums. However, it is recorded here with a synthesizer.]