Jim Snidero


James J. Snidero is an American jazz saxophonist.

Performance career

Snidero grew up in the Washington, D.C., area, studying with Jim Murphy, Ron Diehl, Tim Eyerman and Phil Woods, then attended the University of North Texas and performed in the One O'clock Lab band. He moved to New York City in 1981, studied with Dave Liebman, recorded and toured with Jack McDuff from 1981 to 1982, then joined Toshiko Akiyoshi's Jazz Orchestra in 1983 after Akiyoshi move to New York. Snidero was a working member of Frank Sinatra's band from 1991 to 1995 including the album "Duets II" and Eddie Palmieri's band beginning 1994. Snidero also has performed with the Frank Wess Sextet, the Mingus Big Band from 1996 to 2000, and Walt Weiskopf from 1994 to 2003. He has worked as a sideman for David Hazeltine, David Murray, Mike LeDonne, Joe Magnarelli, Maria Schneider, Mel Lewis, Jim Rotondi, Brian Lynch, Conrad Herwig, and Tom Varner.
In 1984 he formed his own quintet and recorded and performed with sidemen that includes trumpeters Brian Lynch, Tom Harrell, and Tim Hagans ; the pianists Benny Green, and Mulgrew Miller ; the double bass players Peter Washington and Dennis Irwin; and the drummers Billy Hart, Louis Hayes, Gene Jackson, and Adam Nussbaum. From 2001 to 2004, he recorded for Milestone Records, including composing and arranging for a string ensemble. In 2007, Snidero was signed with the Highnote/Savant label, and has recorded over 15 leader dates with sidemen that include Dave Douglas, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Orrin Evans, Jeremy Pelt, Linda May Han Oh, Andy LaVerne, Paul Bollenback, Rudy Royston, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Peter Washington and Joe Farnsworth. His "Live at the Deer Head" recording received 5 stars in Downbeat Magazine.
Snidero was awarded two National Endowment for the Arts grants, including one recording with Dave Holland and Jack Dejohnette, and has placed multiple times in both Downbeat Magazine critics and readers polls, including Top 5 alto saxophonists, critics poll.
Snidero performs frequently in the US, Europe, Japan and toured Australia in 2002.

Educator career

Snidero is an adjunct instructor at the Jazz and Contemporary Music Program at the New School University and was a visiting professor at Indiana University and Princeton University. He has written five series of jazz etude books keyed to play-along CDs. He also has produced courses in jazz improvisation and performance for The Jazz Conception Company.
  • Jazz Conception: 21 solo etudes for jazz phrasing, interpretation and improvisation
  • Easy Jazz Conception: 15 solo etudes for jazz phrasing, interpretation and improvisation
  • Intermediate Jazz Conception: 15 solo etudes for jazz phrasing, interpretation and improvisation
  • Jazz Improvisation-Part 1: 21 video lesson, 18 play alongs, digital book, mobile app
  • Jazz Saxophone-Part 1: 10 video lessons, 8 play alongs, digital book, mobile app
  • The Essence of the Blues: 10 etudes for playing and improvising on the blues
  • The Essence of Bebop: 10 etudes for playing and improvising in the style of bebop

Higher education

Snidero studied at the University of North Texas College of Music before moving to New York City in 1981.

Discography

As leader

On Time Mixed Bag Live Time Out Blue Afternoon Storm Rising Urban Tales While You Were Here Vertigo San Juan Standards Plus The Music of Joe Henderson Strings Close Up Tippin' Crossfire Interface Stream of Consciousness Main Street MD66 Jubilation! Celebrating Cannonball Adderley Waves of Calm Project-K Live at the Deer Head Inn Strings Far Far Away For All We Know
  • ''Bird Feathers''

As sideman