Jim Snidero - Waves of Calm

The Guardian 80

(Savant)

How wrong can you be? Until now, based on very little evidence, I had Jim Snidero figured simply as a technically brilliant American saxophonist in a crowded field. Having listened to these eight pieces, especially the title number and three slow ballads, with growing surprise and delight, I stand well and truly corrected. The alto saxophone in modern jazz is a high-speed instrument, a blizzard of notes, self-assured. But Snidero’s playing here is the opposite – sparse, searching, almost vulnerable.

In the CD booklet he mentions the notes “hovering”, which is exactly right. You wait, listening for that final note to complete a perfect phrase. With his warm tone and delicate vibrato, it’s a joy. There are other times when Snidero’s style is more forthright and tricky, and in these numbers he’s joined by trumpeter Jeremy Pelt. The two are long-time collaborators, and their tones and ideas match beautifully. But I kept coming back to those ballads, especially If I Had You, which is a little masterpiece. The rhythm section of Nat Reeves (bass), Jonathan Barber (drums) and especially pianist Orrin Evans are quite outstanding in their empathy and control.