I've been playing sax since the 5th grade (1964). While obtaining my BA in Music Ed (K-12), I did both a Junior and Senior recital on sax as well as a Jan Term project arranging Glaz for Band with follow-up public performance in the Bethlehem, PA Rose Garden with the Moravian College Band. I also did an honors paper on musical composition. Never could earn much playing sax, so I currently limit my sax playing to recitals each year with the local music club.
Besides the usual suggestions (Ibert, Debussy, Creston, etc.), you may find audiences receptive to the following:
Concerto for sax and orchestra by Erland von Koch (my favorite - need a good altissimo)
Arioso and Presto for Alto Sax and Band by James Barnes
Introduction and Samba by Maurice C Whitney
Diversion by Bernhard Heiden (with cadenza by Eugene Rousseau)
Escapades by John Williams
Fantasia for Soprano or Tenor Sax by Heito Villa-Lobos
Pequena Czarda by Pedro Iturralde
Saxema by Rudy Widoeft (or anything else by him - loads of old-time fun)
Deux Caprices en Forme De Valse by Paul Bonneau (Part 2 is typically done unaccompanied)
Fantasia Concertante by Bernhard Heiden (need a good altissimo)
Scaramouche by Darius Milhaud
The Glaser-Rascher arrangement of The Carnival of Venice
The above should provide you with sufficient challenge and please most audiences (if done well). I, too, welcome any suggestions for challenging, crowd-pleasing saxophone works. I'm not a big fan of multi-phonics or other strange noises. My favorite saxophonists include Sigurd Rascher, Eugene Rousseau, Paul Desmond, Stan Getz, Lenny Pickett and Kenny G (especially LIVE - improvises beyond what you would expect, has phenomenal breath control including circular breathing and a signature tone). I also tend to rank players with better tone higher than those who seem to focus on speed.
