SNL Closing Theme Waltz in A - Tenor Sax/Piano

A collaboration over the internet by Tenor Sax player Joe Bayer in St. Louis, and piano player Ben Schwartz in Providence, R.I. This is a rendition of "A Waltz in A" by Howard Shore, performed each week during closing credits on Saturday Night Live on NBC, by Lenny Pickett and the Saturday Night Live Band.

[@brianknutson8948]

This temporarily solved every problem in my life.

[@clarenceclemons4923]

Agreed

[@schmodedo]

Faith in humanity restored. Even if just for moment !!!

[@johnbecay6887]

you got it...

[@deuces619]

still true in 2020....y’all make some groovy music

[@colonelbuendias]

how about now?

[@cpallos]

sometimes the internet ain't so bad. well done, gents.

[@schmodedo]

Neither bad nor good. We found ourselves here.

[@johnmhubbell]

I watch this more than I'd care to admit.

[@FoxAttaak]

It's a nice way to put you in a better mood.

[@mikevalbuena635]

You guys know how to make a grown man cry don't you? But seriously, please come to my funeral and play this for me!

[@cn9630]

Mike Valbuena AFTER THEY LET ME SING MARIAH CAREY'S "IF IT'S OVER" TO IT,...FIRST!!!!!

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

That altissimo is fire. Hope your'e all staying safe years later. Lenny and the SNL band need to be given one full episode to jam at some point.

[@jsomachine]

Everytime I watch SNL and I heard the ending song it make me feel good inside and kinda sad but just uplifting more than anything. Cant believe I found this on the internet.

[@oblivion476]

Literally screaming on that sax. Bringing tears to my eyes.

[@southsosweet2me]

Here I am replying to you 2 years later. That thing is bad and it's making my should leap! Yesss!

[@mustangflyboy]

A most soulful rendition of the popular SNL closing theme that leaves nothing on the table. Joe Bayer and Ben Schwartz's artful version reaches way down into the emotional soul of the music. A totally unique and deeply moving set. I would love to hear the results if they should play to a live audience. Lorne Michaels, are you listening?

[@v73c]

Technology is wonderful when it allows such talented artists in different locations to come together to produce magic like this!

[@TheBloatedMan]

Beautiful rendition, gentlemen. So much talent.

[@charlesaay110]

Reed Shredding 101 !! Master of the 3rd and 4th register....fully two octaves north of normal. Nailed!!!

[@enoffz8021]

(Three octaves above the normal range of the tenor sax.)

[@ryanm513]

I’ve watched this thousands of times over the year’s I always end with this rendition, thank you for keeping it up.

[@charlessmith263]

I was a partial SNL fan and loved that house band. The house band regulars will love what I saw in that video. Generally, with that closing waltz theme I hear so many times as the SNL program concludes, I only hear about 2 minutes of it as the credits roll. Here in that video - you get to hear the whole darn waltz - including how it ends long after the credit rolls are over.

[@imjoshuajohnson]

I cried listening to the excellence that this is.

[@Tstorm-il5ih]

Tears every time. RIP to my father who lived SNL before it became what it is.... Thank you guys 2022

[@Telephonebill51]

Seventy-two here, buddy. Heady times to be sure. I remember people coming in to work (photo retail) and talking about seeing a guy put a bass into a blender on live television. Zappa hosted once (see Night on Freak Mountain) and it then came out that he didn't do drugs and nobody was sure if it was a put-on or not. People started talking about the "Force", lol. And, people coming back from New England said "Yeah, there's really nobody going into the water"...

[@kevinesquivel221]

Love this! He's got Lenny's sound down! Killer Job!!!!! I wish I could give it a hundred thumbs up.

[@jnadle1]

A blend of Lenny with a little Lou Marini.

[@paulsherman51]

that's right ... Blue Lou!

[@chopsngravey]

this makes me cry..... all the memories ... all my memories of every SNL skit I ever saw come flooding back to me... and they are forever locked in this song at the end of every show.... wow.

[@gbwooden]

And the crowd goes wild!! I NEVER grow tired of this tune. Well done, guys!!

[@AuthorJoelKrupa]

I feel like I’m in an SNL church sketch.

[@lauraduncan2125]

Omg. My childhood theme song

[@seanarmor8200]

1:43 the fist pump when the sax joins in is the best lol

[@samnesser6635]

this is my comfort video

[@Damon2131]

Dam that sounds great! It brought tears to my eyes..

[@AalaapDesai]

Amazing performance!

[@bobbiescott9001]

That theme will take u far back & beyond! I would like this played at my going home service

[@josephbanz3300]

I still watch this one... Good Job!

[@frankprovasek5394]

After watching SNL for 43 years, I finally wondered what music they play at the end of the show -- and found this video. Was worth the wait.

[@themartykus]

I think we should all play this on new year's and say goodbye to 2020...

[@WhitbyStuff]

I come back and have a listen every few months.

[@Ganon136]

I still come back to this video year after year. It never gets old. It will forever be in my top music playlist. Your rendition you guys did is the one I always share with friends when talking about the house band for SNL and how cool their music selections have been over the years. I’ve always said Ben Schwartz’s piano parts have stuck with me over the years. A true top tier pianist.

[@mojoeguitars129]

Watches this video* Tries playing* Throws saxophone out window*

[@CeeVee777]

LOL

[@benren10]

Joe G. I played some of it, you just gotta hammer the shit out of overtones

[@BP-dx4ip]

Joe G. Playing those high notes are not the easiest thing to do

[@beaconmike]

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

[@carterc5540]

It's a tough one I'm trying to learn takes lots of air

[@williamballmaier2355]

These chords and notes are boss! One of the sweetest and saddest blues tunes out there. This is best with a big band and a full horn section.

[@KirkKiyosadaTome]

This is FANTASTIC! Congratulations to the both of you! Lenny Pickett would be proud =)

[@rk702]

Your altissimo is incredible and Ben is just amazing on keys, great musicality and feel. I would however like to have heard a bit more middle and low range sax lines to set up and set off the crazy good altissimo. Great job guys, I loved it.

[@waikikirod]

Awesome Dudes.. Love it.. Thanks... Perfect .."I love it when a plan comes together"!!!!!!

[@toobmaniac]

That sax was on the verge of cracking several times lol....

[@shellybean5614]

Dude……….. that was amazing

[@JacFlash]

Fantastic! I want this song played at my funeral some day....like...a LONG time from now...

[@justinbrown2742]

I had the chance to play bass with Joe Bayer and his band. As soon as. I saw the charts I knew I couldn't hang. I chickened out.

[@brianismael4553]

Totally loved it,made my day.

[@mindaltering]

this just gave me the chills and brought tears to my eyes, one hell of a collab

[@trucker47]

You Know He Can Play That Piano Like Out Of This World, Encore And The Saxophone Player Is Hitting All Those High Notes Wow!!

[@jmatty2010]

Dude, this gave me chills, man you guys played this piece awesome! I mean I love SNL but I love to watch the closing credits just for this song which they usually cut out and go to the commercials and the news, but hearing this terrific job that both of you did, I could see all the actors and actresses waving and hear the audience applauding and and just damn...goosebumps guys! Way to go!!

[@Kman3107]

Think I've seen this video at least 10 times now. Just as good as the first time still. Reason I write this comment is cause I just have to mention how Ben looks so much like Justin Long (the actor)

[@russobey9555]

Absolutely Superb Playing ❤❤❤❤

[@danavalentine5860]

Beautiful rendition!!

[@brianbankovich2437]

Amazing Altissimo Joe, I'm a musician and retired music teacher and I always loved Snl and Lenny Pickett since i was a kid watching the show. Now 30 years later you put me in tears. I didn't know you created another register above the altissimo. In my college recitals years ago I would thrive to play the high g above the altissimo range g and some times the c on my alto, I thought that was it. I want your secret lol. I play in a tribute now to the late Eddie Money the last 4 years called Shaken. Again superb playing! You hit that high A off the chart at the end! Wow!

[@beechler7dk]

Thanks for the kind words, Brian. I appreciate the feedback. I bet that Eddie Money band is fun!

[@rickancil5222]

Wow!!!! That is talent!! I can keep listening to this over and over.

[@tv-qq3py]

You guys so wonderful. Incredible!!!

[@macbrian1703]

You guys are great. Thanks for posting, Enjoyed it very much.

[@yk6206]

Absolutely Perfect

[@stronglynx]

..and we have started a GoFundMe to help pay for Joe's HERNIA OPERATION ;-D!................ lol- Phenomenal, you guys!

[@UV980]

Chills when the sax comes in

[@kidbehindthekit9751]

Holy shit that was phenomenal

[@ericajohnson7535]

still find it amazing that most legendary sax players could never do this

[@williamballmaier2355]

Yeah, this song could never work without piano. It would be jellyfish.

[@ejknight]

Excellent job!! You nailed it perfectly!!!!!

[@blackguy4us224]

Awesome and great and awesome again good job crazy upper register

[@darthksq4761]

Phenomenal.

[@looking21too]

Tou guys are awsaome!!! Wish I could play like this.

[@bsauce420AEVernon]

OMG you are a BEAST! sax player and pianist, both. Great job.

[@JoeVernola]

This is awesome. I can't get enough of this video.

[@dbdelectables]

So much soul....sounds like an old baptist church hymn

[@anilkalera4226]

I listen to this almost everyday. just over and over. i love it

[@hannahwoz2316]

Whoa! Both of you are AMAZING. I'm in band- which helps me further appreciate all the hard work you both put into this. I LOVED every second of this. This makes me want to learn how to play the sax or piano. (I rock the flute)

[@b1lc1s]

You bastards are the greatest and I mean it!! Love you guys!

[@3y3p0pp3r]

ive been looking for original of this song for about twenty years and i have found it. thank you, gentlemen.

[@ubenza]

I love you guys.

[@collopsable]

Decided to check in on one of my fave videos (Ben doing Waltz in A) and found this. So f'ing awesome. Strong work, fellas.

[@MrThomasbrimacombe]

You guy's are awesome.

[@jdrosborough]

Altissimo redefined. Amazing.

[@accidentals_hacks]

that's sick! I didn't think the sax could go any higher at the very end, but he did!

[@brifly75]

I've been watching an jamming along to this clip for a couple of years. You guys killed it. Thanks for sharing.

[@stuntmangabe]

THIS WAS AMAZING! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@thomaswhiddon7638]

SUPER!!! Made me smile so hard I cried.

[@ejknight]

Wow. That was great.

[@Stratmandew]

thanks for Sharing. that was great!

[@PeytonSonnefeld]

Damn....I don't have words for how great it was seeing this. Absolutely phenomenal.

[@DavisBishop101]

I'd like to thank the cast, the writers, the band, Lorne Michaels, NBC, my mother. It's been wonderful, I love SNL. Good night! *Hugs, handshakes, and obscene gestures*

[@CeeVee777]

I always enjoy watching this. Fantastic!

[@davemasters860]

Very nice. I was sitting down to my piano today to figure this out. Well done. Standing ovation!!!

[@grepnick]

Beautiful

[@knowyourjoe8826]

Well done guys!

[@DocBouvette]

"This is Don Pardo speaking. Goodnight."

[@Hadrorex]

You're brutal, dude! And I got stuck playing drums because by brother was born first! Young kid on the board's got some shine! You even look like my Sax-playing brother who passed on over four years ago. He also loved Dave Sanborn's hard metallic sound too. He emulated both of them with a little Ernie Watts thrown in for additional flavor. And yes, like you he was a true Lenny Pickett fan from the Tower of Power days. When Lenny croaks from a stroke, you're a true shoe-in for the job!! Pitch perfect, guys!

[@Nilw0n]

I am speachless...that was just amazing! well done!

[@MrJazzitup9]

BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO!!!!!!! You guys played this with so much conviction! WOW!!!!!! You guys pulled this off with just keys and sax and, I still got chills as if I was listening to a full piece band. Yall killed this for sure! :-)

[@RishiSatsangi]

YESSS omg great job guys

[@gerdygram]

That was really amazing guys! Thank you so much for posting!!

[@barrycbaker]

Great job guys!!!!! I listened to you guys at least 5 times!!

[@ZorphanLord]

Wow. This is great.

[@k7iq]

Excellent ! Enjoyed listening and watching this very much !

[@gwallsify]

freaking amazing!!!!

[@potibol01]

Congratulations!!! Wonderful !! I love sax and piano

[@ytspam1000]

wow, great job by the both of you ;)

[@troysherrod3147]

So good, so intoxicating -- love it

[@MichaelKiddRocks]

I am so happy because of this.

[@themrrich]

Wonderful! Made my day.

[@epartee23]

Amazing!

[@lbr218]

Whenever I hear this it makes me sad because it means another episode of SNL has come to a close. But this is amazing! Thanks for sharing!