Jazz Articles about Bob Sneider

Bob Sneider & Joe Locke Film Noir Project: Nocturne for Ava

by Dan McClenaghan
April 5, 2009

Nocturne for Ava slips into noir territory--under night's cover, fedora pulled down low, trench coat collar up, immersed in a night of blurry neon glowing through a low misty fog, much in the fashion of its predecessor, Fallen Angel (Sons of Sound, 2006). Both sets celebrate noir classics and movie tunes written for or inspired by the darker side of the celluloid experience. They are moodily atmospheric, melancholic, and seductive, with a sometimes morose inward feeling in the mode of ...

Bob Sneider/Mike Melito/Phil Flanigan: All Through the Night

by C. Andrew Hovan
August 10, 2007

If this disc is any indication of the caliber of jazz musicians in the Rochester, New York area, then it would seem that the music is in good hands around said environs. So the story goes, guitarist Bob Sneider has played an integral part in leading the nightly jam sessions that occur during the duration of each year's Rochester International Jazz Festival, and this studio date is somewhat of a homage to those sets. No stranger to the jazz scene ...

Bob Sneider / Mike Melito / Phil Flanigan: All Through the Night

by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
July 10, 2007

No one will be able to sleep all through this night, a collection of bright, swinging performances from this gifted Rochester trio, whose long and happy association is evident in their relaxed, empathic interplay. Here, guitarist Bob Sneider, bassist Phil Flanigan and drummer Mike Melito are joined by a stellar guest roster, creating a pleasing balance between the five trio and six quartet tracks. It's a solid and spirited session that includes some lesser-known tunes by Jackie McLean and Billy ...

Bob Sneider & Paul Hofman: Escapade

by Jerry D'Souza
September 18, 2006

Bob Sneider and Paul Hofmann called their first collaborative effort “Interconnection," and that was an apt name, for the two showed that they had an affinity that resulted in some darned fine music. Though their second collaboration finds them concentrating on original material, they also look at standards, including a Nat Cole medley, and even add a twist of jazz to a classical tune.

Given their familiarity with each other, it is not surprising that the recording offers a cohesive ...

Bob Sneider and Paul Hofmann: Escapade

by Dan McClenaghan
September 1, 2006

The history of duo recordings boasts some standout pairings: Bill Evans and Jim Hall, Nat “King" Cole and Oscar Moore, Chick Corea and Gary Burton, Stan Getz and Kenny Brown. Guitarist Bob Sneider and pianist Paul Hofmann approach the duo format with masterful technique and imagination on Escapade, a followup to Interconnection (Sons of Sound, '04).Sneider is a two-time winner of Down Beat's Outstanding Performance in Jazz Award and has performed with Chuck Mangione, Nat Adderley and Jon ...

Bob Sneider and Joe Locke Film Noir Project: Fallen Angel

by Robert R. Calder
June 21, 2006

Very, very nice this one is, the absence of an overall noir atmosphere no cause for complaint. The project, under the leadership of Bob Sneider and Joe Locke, looks at the scores of cinematic works of the film noir genre, simply for material worth performing. Maybe somebody thought the genre might have occasioned unusual inspiration and produced themes of substantial jazz potential. Speculate if you like, and admire the considerable inventiveness of the arrangements.

There's something in the initial material. ...

The Bob Sneider & Joe Locke Film Noir Project: Fallen Angel

by Jerry D'Souza
April 15, 2006

The dark, haunting world of film noir has returned to thrill viewers in a spate of releases on DVD in recent months. This Film Noir Project transposes that spell to music, capturing the essence of the themes that enhance the thrill of watching the films. Music, even in its darkest ambit, can be elevating. Bob Sneider and Joe Locke not only take soundtracks from classic movies, they also add some from films that fell flat on their face. But they ...