Ed Saindon

Coming from the “four mallet school,” Ed Saindon has developed and continues to refine a pianistic approach to mallet playing which involves a consistent utilization of all four mallets along with a variety of dampening techniques. Saindon has absorbed and transferred the influences from the piano lineage that stretches from Waller and Tatum up to the present. Originally a drummer, Saindon began playing the vibraphone along with piano while attending Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1972-1976.

As a concert artist, Saindon has traveled throughout the U.S., Europe, Brazil, Mexico and Japan. He has played and or recorded with Dave Liebman, Ken Peplowski, Warren Vache, Kenny Werner, Mick Goodrick, Fred Hersch, Peter Erskine, Jeff Hamilton, Louie Bellson, Howard Alden, Herb Pomeroy, Dick Johnson, Dave McKenna, Marvin Stamm, Michael Moore and others.

In addition to performing, Saindon’s other passion is music education. He is a Professor at Berklee where he has been teaching since 1976. He is also active in the field of music education as a clinician and author. Saindon is a clinician for Yamaha and Vic Firth giving clinics and residencies on vibraphone, marimba, piano, drums, jazz theory and harmony, composition and improvisation. Berklee Press has published his book Berklee Practice Method: Vibraphone and German publisher Advance Music recently issued his new book Exploration in Rhythm, Volume 1, Rhythmic Phrasing in Improvisation.

In addition to writing books, Saindon has authored many articles on music education, jazz theory and improvisation. He is currently the vibraphone and jazz mallet editor for the International Percussive Arts Society’s magazine Percussive Notes. His articles have appeared in many publications including Downbeat, Percussive Notes, and Percussioner International.

Saindon's latest recordings include Key Play with pianist Kenny Werner along with Saindon on vibes in a duo format. His most recent recording is Depth of Emotion which features Dave Liebman on soprano along with Saindon on vibes, piano and marimba. The quartet is rounded out with Mark Walker on drums and David Clark on bass.

Depth of Emotion review by Edward Blanco (WDNA, Miami, Florida):

Crafting a unique blend of contemporary jazz, pianist Ed Saindon and saxophonist Dave Liebman offer a session of cutting edge music with intelligent charts and spontaneous improvisation to produce a quality recording with “Depth of Emotion.” Saindon, who not only plays the piano, but is also a four mallet vibist and plays the marimba as well, is featured as co-leader with Liebman who performs on the soprano sax. The duo are accompanied by bassist David Clark and Mark Walker on the drums forming one tight quartet.

Except for two standards provided fresh interpretations here, Saindon provides all original compositions. The quartet opens the music with the melancholy “The Last Goodbye” paying homage to the late Herb Pomeroy with whom Saindon performed for many years. On this tune Liebman introduces the music with his soprano voice eventually giving way to Saindon on the vibes then reengages to finish out a somber piece.

The group performs a light hearted rendition of the Kaper/Washington standard “Green Dolphin Street,” where Liebman delivers some of his best solos of the album. Saindon provides an exquisite piano solo on one of the very best renditions of the Mancini/Mercer classic, “Moon River” I’ve ever heard as the saxophonist and pianist play off each other quite well.

Saindon leads off on the piano on “Tokyo Nights,” later engaged by Liebman who together deliver another beautiful harmony in one of the best tunes here. The album ends featuring the pianist performing several short vignettes on the piano titled “Piano Solo Reflections.”

This is one of those new 2008 releases containing a repertoire of refreshing new music that critics and the average jazz audiences will love. Assembling a unique combo, With “Depth of Emotion,” Ed Saindon and Dave Liebman chart a new course in modern jazz that deserves serious attention.

Edward Blanco - January 1st, 2008

Gear

Yamaha vibes & marimba, Vic Firth mallets