Early-2023 releases continue to flood in. And certainly among the most ear catching incredibly seizing the straightahead day sounds to submerge ourselves completely in are heard on Far Far Away from alto saxophonist Jim Snidero featuring Kurt Rosenwinkel superb recently on Berlin Baritone. Snidero pushes from the centre moving outerwards in ever increasing circles and if you are into Greg Abate and the much missed Richie Cole then the 64-year-old Snidero making records for decades and as an educator the author of several books including The Essence of Bebop is of course for you.
Start in his discography with While Your [sic] Here. Bass great Peter Washington who is with Snidero on Far Far Away was also on that 1990s-era quartet release and who was magnificent a year ago within the Bill Charlap trio on I'll Know.
Carving out new lexicographies somehow within the vast databanks of the post-bop dictionary, with Snidero are guitar icon Rosenwinkel and the altoist's acclaimed Deer Head Inn band - ex-The Bad Plus pianist Orrin Evans who also was significant on classic JD Allen album Bloom, Washington and swinger's swinger drummer Joe Farnsworth.
The album out on the Savant label includes Snidero originals plus Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers' 'It Might As Well Be Spring' from the film State Fair (1945) and a beautiful version of The Real McCoy classic 'Search For Peace' by McCoy Tyner.
Snidero toured in the orchestra of Frank Sinatra from 1991-5. Listen to Sinatra's Don Costa conducted Sinatra & Strings version from 1962.
We'll bring you more reactions to the record when it's out in early-February. For now jump up to speed with last year's standards bedecked Live at The Deer Head Inn - the Deer Head a pilgrimage for Keith Jarrett fans everywhere given that Jarrett with Gary Peacock and Paul Motian recorded classic 1990s album At the Deer Head Inn at the Pennsylvanian spot 40 or so miles from Allentown where the pianist was born. Jarrett and Snidero's Deer Head albums share 'Bye Bye Blackbird' in common.
Jim Snidero, photo: John Rogers
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