It’s the highest voice in a five-piece saxophone section.
Sometimes a modest idea provokes a thorough rethink of assumptions. Instead of segregating, women would lead alongside valued male colleagues. Jensen invited the Toronto saxophonist Tara Davidson and her husband, trombonist William Carn. Davidson would play lead alto. Davidson has been a fixture on the Toronto jazz scene for 20 years but she had hardly ever played lead alto in a big band. It’s the highest voice in a five-piece saxophone section. It sets tone and phrasing cues for the other reeds. It coordinates rhythmically with the lead trumpeter and the lead trombonist. It’s a leadership role. It doesn’t often go to women.