Is anyone noticing the impressive catalogue that this guy is quietly putting together?
Jim Snidero carved out an impressive career with Toshiko Akioshi’s famed orchestra. I caught the band a number of times and was always impressed with his solos and section work. His latest album gives support to my theory that the best small group players come from paying their dues in big ensembles, as Snidero sounds magnificent with the post bop combo of Jeremy Pelt/tp, Orrin Evans/p-key, Nat Reeves/b and Jonathan Barber/dr.
Snidero does some quartet work with a gentle and sublime title track with Evans, and sighs with passion on the staple “Old Folks,” rich with melodicism for the nostalgic “If I Had You.” With Pelt in the front line, the band lurks like a B noir flick on “Truth” and is soulful with spacy bass and keys on the bluesy visions. Pelt is hip on the swinging “Dad Song” and creates rich harmonies with the leader for the moody “Estuary.” This is a keeper!