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Nick Maclean's SNAGGLE feat. ALI BROS

Led by JUNO-nominated and 10X Global Music Award-winning pianist and composer Nick Maclean, SNAGGLE feat. ALI BROS delivers an all-original electric jazz experience that moves from haunting introspection to explosive intensity. Drawing on the exploratory traditions of Weather Report, the Brecker Brothers, and Snarky Puppy, the ensemble now undertakes its most ambitious project yet: FOUNDATION, an expansive concept album inspired by Isaac Asimov’s legendary saga, bringing one of science fiction’s greatest and most enduring literary universes vividly to life through sound.

On the frontline are the ALI BROS: trumpet virtuoso Brownman Ali (Guru’s Jazzmatazz, Jay-Z, Randy Brecker) and his brother, saxophone heavyweight Marcus Ali (Matt Dusk, Jason Wilson, Mr. Something Something). Behind them, an elite rhythm section of Toronto electric-jazz luminaries drives the sound forward: Jay Yoo on guitar, Matt Gruebner on bass, and Adam Mansfield on drums. Maclean has strategically incorporated every member of BROWNMAN ELECTRYC TRIO into SNAGGLE, forming the ensemble’s core.

The group’s previous album, THE LONG SLOG (Browntasauras Records), was released on October 2, 2016, earning three Gold Global Music Awards and a Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Jazz Instrumental, as well as a nomination for an International Independent Music Award in the Best Jazz/Funk/Jam category.

The group’s highly anticipated studio album FOUNDATION features 10 Maclean-penned compositions, recorded at Toronto’s acclaimed Revolution Recording, along with 11 short interludes. Produced by Brownman Ali, the album is scheduled for release on Browntasauras Records on October 30, 2026. Celebrated Latin percussionist Luisito Orbegoso makes guest appearances on five tracks.

Awards

– 2026 'Gold' International Music Artist Award "Best Jazz Music" (for "Arkady")
– 2026 'Gold' International Music Artist Award "Best Jazz Music" (for "Twilight of Civilization")
– 2026 'Silver' International Music Artist Award "Best Jazz Music" (for "The Mule")
– 2017 International Independent Music Award nominee 'Best Jazz/Funk/Jam'
– 2017 Toronto Independent Music Award 'Best Jazz Instrumental'
– 2016 3X 'Gold' Global Music Award winner (for 'The Long Slog')
– 2016 4-star rating on AllAboutJazz.com (for 'The Long Slog')
– 2016 AllAboutJazz.com’s ‘download of the day’ (for “Snaggle #7”)
– 2016 No.1 on the jazz charts in Kamloops (for 'The Long Slog')

Snaggle: The Long Slog

Read "The Long Slog" reviewed by Dave Wayne

by Dave Wayne
January 11, 2017

In the art world, labeling oneself as “the next (fill in the blank)" or “(name of country)'s answer to (fill in the blank)" is a risky ploy that may reap short-term benefits in terms of quickly generating a fan base, but may actually be detrimental in terms of creative sustainability. The : Toronto-based jazz-funk- rock sextet Snaggle is a case in point. Their press materials are riddled with phrases such as “Canada's answer to Snarky Puppy" and “the next Snarky ...

"Snaggle... retains the essence of jazz fusion from the 1970s and, with the help of Isaac Asimov, propels it into the next century. Their sound is big, bold, engaging, and tough as nails."
- J. Bruce Parker, Beat Magazine (London, Canada)

"This is the stuff that made fusion fun back in its heyday and Snaggle is a revival of that kind of playfulness missing from a lot of contemporary jazz today."
- S. Victor Aaron, SomethingElseReviews (Texas, USA)

“Nick Maclean's SNAGGLE feat. ALI BROS has excelled with their visionary take on a science fiction icon. Asimov’s Foundation series is a cornerstone of SciFi, its fans are legion and protective and SNAGGLE’s work will win them over. While we wait for the album, the two singles that have been released, “The Mule” and “Twilight of Civilisation” have themes evocative of those episodes, which are superbly realised by the ALI BROS, the group’s tight horn section of trumpet (Brownman Ali) and tenor sax (Marcus Ali) that explores and encircles their cores.”
- John Lamp, Tempo on the Pulse (Victoria, Australia)

"Snaggle... retains the essence of jazz fusion from the 1970s and, with the help of Isaac Asimov, propels it into the next century. Their sound is big, bold, engaging, and tough as nails."
- J. Bruce Parker, Beat Magazine (London, Canada)

"This is the stuff that made fusion fun back in its heyday and Snaggle is a revival of that kind of playfulness missing from a lot of contemporary jazz today."
- S. Victor Aaron, SomethingElseReviews (Texas, USA)

“Nick Maclean's SNAGGLE feat. ALI BROS has excelled with their visionary take on a science fiction icon. Asimov’s Foundation series is a cornerstone of SciFi, its fans are legion and protective and SNAGGLE’s work will win them over. While we wait for the album, the two singles that have been released, “The Mule” and “Twilight of Civilisation” have themes evocative of those episodes, which are superbly realised by the ALI BROS, the group’s tight horn section of trumpet (Brownman Ali) and tenor sax (Marcus Ali) that explores and encircles their cores.”
- John Lamp, Tempo on the Pulse (Victoria, Australia)

"NICK MACLEAN's SNAGGLE featuring the ALI BROS presents "Blues Fires" with the single "The Mule," brimming with musical prowess. This composition embodies a personal and vibrant "Progressive" sound, delivered with great ensemble energy and a clear connection between the band members. Their powerful interpretations are evident through stunning solo performances, capable of engaging and captivating even the most discerning listener."
- Bruno Pollacci, Blues Fires (Pisa, Italy)

"Arkady features a driving rhythmic backdrop that arcs upward before evening itself out into a seductive electric-jazz vibe. The group's musicians all interact with incredible synergy, with the trumpet & keyboard exploding throughout the piece during their conversational exchanges."
- John Martin, Radio Kelowna (Kelowna, Canada)

“The first label release from young pianist Nick Maclean's 6-man electric-jazz group SNAGGLE is most impressive! The music on Long Slog is very, very challenging, yet groovy, soulful & exploratory at the same time. [...] Extremely well performed, written and executed you Snagglers, with high-end production from Brown in the producer's chair. Very impressive work.”
- Randy Brecker, multi-Grammy winning trumpet legend (NYC, USA)

“Snaggle plays music without borders, music that is at once sophisticated and inclusive, bristling with infectious funk grooves, rock riffs, and jazz-based improvisations woven into a tapestry of an ambitious yet accessible compositional palette. Seemingly irreconcilable influences vie for attention, from heavy, Zeppelinesque rock riffery to gentle jazz-funk, with hints of Radiohead and the Brian Blade Fellowship Band sprinkled in for good measure, all stitched together in a seamless, somehow inevitable way.”
- David Restivo, Canadian jazz piano giant (Toronto, Canada)

“Totally original... funky as all hell... this ain't any Kenny G oatmeal for folks with no teeth”
- Mike Greenblat, Classicalite (New York, USA)

"What’s most striking about this group is that they are continually challenging the “norm”, so what you get will be completely fresh and new. I give this band a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99."
- Dick Metcalf, Improvijazzation Nation (Washington, USA)

“The music of Snaggle, a fruitful sextet based in Toronto, translates into mature compositions and stupendous executions. [...] In a certain moment they’re confronting Miles Davis with Medeski Martin & Wood; in the other, you may find the Red Hot Chili Peppers colliding with Incognito or Mahavishnu Orchestra.”
- Filipe Freitas, Jazziz (Florida, USA)

"The wonder of the musicians’ playing is how engagingly, articulately, flowingly and creatively they pour themselves into the songs, adding further lustre to this recording, which is stylish, responsive and richly atmospheric."
- Raul da Gama, The Whole Note (Toronto, Canada)

"Funk/jazz fans, the next generation is in the house… A bunch of hard charging lads that probably can't do anything but deliver the goods, this is what you have to play when you need to get the blood flowing. Smoking stuff throughout."
- Chris Spector, The Midwest Record (Illinois, USA)

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