Jim Snidero - MD66 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

This reissue of Jim Snidero's Strings on Savant Records marks 20 years since the album was to be recorded in New York on 9/11/01, the day of the terrifying attacks on the World Trade Center. Recorded a few months later and released on Milestone, the session ultimately resulted in Incha stone masterpieceInch (Philadelphia Weekly), Inchbreathtaking achievementInch (East Bay Times), 4 stars (Downbeat). Out of print for nearly a decade, Strings has been beautifully remastered and now includes enhanced bass arco parts, adding richness and depth to an all-star string section. Released to wide acclaim, Strings captures some of Snidero's finest writing and playing - not a standards date with a hired gun arranger, but rather a deep dive by Snidero himself into the art of strings arranging, with predominantly his music as the vehicle. In the process, Snidero not only broadened his skill set, but the expressive capacity of his art. Snidero's vibrant compositions, including the three-movement Hudson River homage InchRiver SuiteInch, are brought to life by pianist Renee Rosnes, bassist Paul Gill, drummer Billy Drummond and a supremely qualified cast of string players including Mark Feldman, Laura Seaton, Joyce Hamman, Tomas Ulrich, Mary Wooten, Ralph Farris, Kenji Bunch and others.

With Project-K, Jim Snidero breaks new ground. Absorbing and refracting varied aspects of Korean folkways, he delves into a topic near and dear to his home and heart. InchHaving a Korean wife, family and friends, I've been immersed in Korean culture for more than 20 years,Inch he shares. InchBetween Korean history, culture and philosophy, I felt that there was much to explore musically.Inch Bridging his own wide-ranging aesthetic with those very traditions, Snidero turns out one of the most distinctive dates of his career. In choosing the personnel to flesh out this music, Snidero's decisions proved shrewd and sound. The rhythm section, comprised of pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Rudy Royston, brings a rare balance of sensitivity, strength and insight to these ventures. And trumpeter Dave Douglas serves as the perfect front line foil for the saxophonist. InchI wanted to use a traditional Korean instrument on Project-K and the gayageum appealed to me the most. My goal was to fully integrate the instrument within some of the arrangements,Inch says Snidero, and Do Yeon Kim was the natural choice. As a group, we were all able to create what I believe is both unique and inspired music.Inch

Alto saxophonist Jim Snidero brings the sum total of his experiences to the fore on Main Street, including those as a leader as well as a sideman with Frank Wess, the Mingus Big Band, Jack McDuff, and Toshiko Akiyoshi. Here he draws upon a quarter-century of touring experiences for a trip through some of the American experience via a cycle of new compositions and two covers. With bassist Linda Oh, drummer Rudy Royston and Cuban pianist Fabian Almazan, Main Street offers fresh original material, imaginative arrangements, inspired soloing, and cohesive yet spontaneous group interaction.