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 | Artist: Sneider,John | | Title: "Panorama" | | Media: Compact Discs | | Label: DTR | | Rel: 2000-06-27 |  | | List: $16.98 (Save 25%) | | Your Price: $12.75 |
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Review 1
John Sneider - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Chris Potter - Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet (2,4,6), Larry Goldings - B-3 Organ
(1,3,5,8), David Berkman - Piano (2,4,6,7,9), John Hart - Guitar (1,3,5,8), Bob Sneider - Guitar (6,7,9), David Gibson
- Trombone (2,4,6), Dwayne Burno - Bass (2,4,6,7,9), Andy Watson - Drums
1. Panorama, 2. The Little Horses, 3. Wooly Mammoth, 4. Giant Steps, 5. Alexicon, 6. Patience Is A Virtue,7. Lucky
To Be Me, 8. Cousin Mary, 9. Hi-Fly Total Time (61:26)
| Review 2
Truly a Panorama of music and creativity, John Sneider’s
debut release is a gem with a broad view of the jazz art form.
From the opening title cut, his original jazz waltz “Panorama,”
to the final cut, Randy Weston’s “High Fly,” one finds a beauty,
joy, and breadth of experience that is prevalent throughout this
recording. Unusual by today’s standards, John has a sound.
Sneider projects an assurance and sophistication that belie his
age, and as a leader, demonstrates an empathy for the tradition
of the small band jazz heritage.
In this new century of the jazz art form, with a
plethora of recorded product called jazz, this recording is an
oasis of originality. It is sure to be a long term career
springboard for Sneider’s jazz aspirations.
The participation of Larry Goldings partnered with John
Hart and Andy Watson in the rhythm section is a master stroke.
Their inclusion evokes the classic organ trio sound, both in
Sneider’s diverse originals and the hard-swinging Coltrane
classic “Cousin Mary.” Capitalizing on this basic tenet, swing,
John shows a maturity and insight beyond his years that will
assure an audience as broad as the title.
Sneider handles the litmus test of Coltrane’s “Giant
Steps” with ease and allows his colleagues to share much of the
spotlight in subsequent cuts. This is not only a sign of musical
confidence but of true leadership.
Check out brother Bob’s inventive pathway in John’s
interpretation of Bernstein’s often neglected ballad “Lucky to
Be Me” and Chris Potter’s solo on “Patience is a Virtue.” Also
lending their unique talents to this recording are David
Berkman, Dave Gibson and Dwayne Burno. They offer pure economy
of musical motion to support their friend and leader.
Unlike many new issues, this CD doesn’t need to say
urgently “look at me now.” It is more in keeping with
John’s “Patience is a Virtue.” It allows the listener to reflect
and enjoy a broad landscape of music that evokes the true sense
of jazz, creativity and improvisation.
- John La Barbera
| Players
John Sneider - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Chris Potter - Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet (2,4,6)
Larry Goldings - B-3 Organ (1,3,5,8)
David Berkman - Piano (2,4,6,7,9)
John Hart - Guitar (1,3,5,8)
Bob Sneider - Guitar (6,7,9)
David Gibson - Trombone (2,4,6)
Dwayne Burno - Bass (2,4,6,7,9)
Andy Watson - Drums | Tracks
1. Panorama
2. The Little Horses
3. Wooly Mammoth
4. Giant Steps
5. Alexicon
6. Patience Is A Virtue
7. Lucky To Be Me
8. Cousin Mary
9. Hi-Fly
Total Time (61:26) | Liner Notes
"Panorama", the title track, was written for the
Commission Project in Rochester, NY. This song was inspired by
the multi-media artwork of Linda Q. Corman.
"The Little Horses" is a lullaby that my wife enjoys
singing to our kids. The arrangement is influenced by the
writing of Booker Little and John Coltrane. Using only minimal
chord changes during the solo section creates a dream-like
atmosphere, free of any pretense or preconception.
"Wooly Mammoth" was written for my friend Adam
Chasnow. "The Wooly Mammoth" is actually a nickname for a
vintage coat Chas bought at a flea market on 25th Street. The
huge fur collar and cut of the coat harken back to the funky
times of the early 1970’s. The groove established in the tune
conveys the confidence and strut of the wearer of such an
article of clothing. This piece is influenced by the music of
Miles Davis and John Scofield.
The intro on "Giant Steps" is one way to get through the
chord changes. The ascending chromatic line starts on the flat
five and works its way up. The tempo also accelerates, but
never to the blazing tempo that is symbolic of many of today’s
harmonic weight lifters. Fast is great, but I wanted this
version to be more relaxed.
"Alexicon" (language of Alex) was written for Alex
Norris, a friend and great trumpet player whose harmonic
vocabulary is very modern. I attempted to compose and improvise
using similar vocabulary that is subtle and works naturally like
the blues scale does.
"Patience Is A Virtue" was written for the great jazz
singer and pianist, Andy Bey. I tried to articulate musically
all the valuable words of advice Andy has given me. The form is
a blues with a few harmonic twists. Patience finally pays off
in the 6/8 sections which provide a release.
I first heard "Lucky To Be Me" on the record “Everybody
Digs Bill Evans”. It quickly became one of my favorite
ballads. Brother Bob’s guitar sets it all up with a thoughtful
statement of the verse.
On "Cousin Mary", I wanted to try something a little
different. The arrangement takes you through the keys of Ab, Bb
and C. It is so easy to play when the rhythm section is
swinging like this.
In this arrangement of "Hi Fly", the alternating 11/8
and 4/4 bars on the melody provide suspense. Is this ball going
to be caught at the warning track or is it going to travel just
far enough to be a home run and win the World Series for the Red
Sox? Given the groove established by Dwayne and Andy, it is
clear that they are celebrating in Bean Town.
- John Sneider
John Sneider has gained national recognition as an
innovative jazz trumpet player and composer. In March of 1998
John was the winner of the Carmine Caruso International Jazz
Trumpet Competition sponsored by the International Trumpet
Guild. John was also one of five finalists in the Thelonious
Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition. In 1991 he was
selected as the top collegiate jazz soloist by Down Beat
Magazine. Besides leading his own groups, John has performed
with Max Roach, Curtis Fuller, The Mingus Big Band, The Frank
Foster All-Star Big Band, Clark Terry, Cab Calloway, Andy Bey,
Brad Mehldau, and Larry Goldings. In addition, John composes and
arranges music for television and radio commercials. He also
leads an active career as a studio musician. Sneider is on the
faculty of The New School/Mannes College of Music where he
teaches jazz theory, improvisation, as well as private
students. He is also a clinician at colleges, universities, and
high schools around the country.
John was born in 1969 and was raised in Brockton,
Massachusetts. His first instrument was piano and it was not
until high school that trumpet became his primary instrument.
John earned a Bachelors degree in Political Science from the
University of Rochester and a Masters in Jazz from Manhattan
School of Music.
John Sneider plays Bach Trumpets exclusively |
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