Alto saxophonist Jim Snidero recently released his newest recording Crossfire on Savant Records. For those not familiar with Snidero's playing, he has traveled the well-worn path from the University of North Texas (North Texas State) to New York City. He has played big band lead alto with a who’s who of today’s jazz big bands as well as recording and performing with a formidable list of today’s jazz greats. He is also active in jazz education and the author of a series of very popular Jazz Conception books by Advance Music.
Crossfire features Snidero on alto saxophone as well as Paul Bollenback on guitar, Paul Gill on bass and Billy Drummond on drums. There are nine tracks, several of which are heavily weighted in the bop tradition – a perfect vehicle for Snidero’s clear sound and blistering lines.
The opening song and title track soon feature Snidero, Gill and Drummond sans guitar. The space leaves lots of room to appreciate Snidero’s sound and time. The ensemble completes itself with Bollenback rejoining the group for some comping and an energetic solo of his own. Following the final melodic statement, Snidero lets it rip on the out chorus and fade.
Although it is clear that Jim Snidero enjoys playing “tempos,” he demonstrates initial restraint and subtlety on the playful Tranquility. Later, he launches into some well-executed and tasteful double-time lines.
Vortex, with its blistering tempo allows Snidero to travel back closer to his bop roots. His bop tonguing, time and feel further demonstrate his capabilities in this challenging style pioneered by greats such as Charlie Parker and later Cannonball Adderley. The ensemble figure in fourths leads to an angular melody excecuted perfectly by the group. Drummond also gets a chance to stretch on drums following the guitar solo by Bollenback.
The initially pensive Lost follows with a feel change and some interesting melodic interplay between Boolenback and Snidero. Bollenback’s clear, sweet tone morphs into a more gritty, distorted offering following the melody. Snidero’s aggressive solo plays with the time, weaving between double time and the occasional altissimo notes used sparingly by Snidero. Lost is definitely among the more eclectic tunes programmed on Crossfire.
As if sensing it were time to play something closer to the center, the ensemble then beautifully plays the standard Time After Time. Snidero navigates the changes and remains true to the melody at the same time. This is one of my favorite moments on this recording.
Big “T” gives Snidero the opportunity to explore more contemporary sounding lines while still maintaining a brisk tempo. He may be a bopper at heart but he clearly demonstrates the ability to adapt to each setting the ensemble provides.
Jim Snidero lays back a bit on the melody to his composition One For You. He manages to alternate between a true bossa nova feel and his more fiery bop lines. It’s an interesting combination that somehow works, likely due to Snidero’s wonderful musicianship. Bollenback’s guitar solo and chording is particularly charming here and perfectly suited for One For You – another high point on Crossfire.
The programming and pacing is notable on Jim Snidero’s Crossfire. Each successive song shows off a slightly different tempo, feel and/or harmonic concept within the group. This is apparent with the transition into the hard-swinging Somewhere In The Night into the final One Finger Snap. Bass lovers out there finally get a chance to hear the very capable Paul Gill on both of the final cuts.
In the end, Jim Snidero has taken the listener on an enjoyable musical journey on Crossfire. He shows his ability as composer, saxophonist and producer on an enjoyable mix of bop, modern jazz and Latin stylings.
You can find out more about Jim Snidero at jimsnidero.com
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