One of the five in a typical big band is a saxophone section player (for example, an alto saxophonist).

What “one of five in a typical big band” means

In standard jazz big band instrumentation, the saxophone section usually has five players:

  • 2 alto saxophones
  • 2 tenor saxophones
  • 1 baritone saxophone

So “one of five in a typical big band” most naturally refers to a single sax player from that five-piece saxophone section, such as an alto, tenor, or baritone saxophonist.

How a typical big band is set up

A classic big band is often arranged like this:

  • 5 saxophones (the “five” in question)
  • 4 trumpets
  • 4 trombones
  • 3–4 rhythm section instruments (piano, guitar, bass, drums)

The saxes sit as a unified reed section, forming harmonies and often carrying the main melodic lines in arrangements.

Role of the sax section

Within the ensemble, the saxes:

  • Provide flexible harmonies and rich melodic lines across a wide range.
  • Often play “soli” passages, where all five move together in tight harmony behind or instead of the brass.

Because there are five of them as a standard, any single saxophonist is literally “one of five in a typical big band.”

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.