Ok i run a community big band and i have a new member who plays Eb sousaphone, where on earth do i put him? Do i stick him on the double bass parts and get him to transpose as most brass banders do or do i get him to play the bass trombone parts or do i ask him to play the Eb baritone sax parts, what would be the logical placement for this unusual instrument which does look rather cool!

Help very much appreciated.

I knew a tuba player who played in a big band and I think he always played the lower brass parts, not bass. Could be the most logical choice for sousaphone in my view.

So you think bass trombone would be the best place?

Fraid I don't know...but they will look very cool, as you say!!

What a nice problem to have

I too have a sousaphone (not many of us about!) - although mine, as most, is in Bb not Eb. You might want to check it really is in Eb first! Then check what your player is used to reading - bass clef "concert" pitch readers will be able to play the bass trombone part (maybe putting the odd bit down an octave), or the baritone sax part (if it's in treble clef - sorry, don't know much about saxes - read it as bass clef and knock off 3 flats). However, the bass trombone part might (in my experience, anyway!) sound rather odd as the instrument doesn't have the same timbre as a trombone (obviously!). I would suggest giving them the double bass part if you have one - this is the kind of part a sousaphone would play in a jazz band and will sound ace!
Have fun - send your sousaphone player my best wishes (perhaps we should organise a convention!)

I'm reliably informed that it is an Eb sousa, although its hard to tell one from the other as they are practically the same size, the Eb having a false/unused tube. I'm thinking that perhaps a combination of parts may be the best approach, i'll check the bass trom, double bass and bari parts and the select which would be the most suitable. Thanks for your input.