Ronald Snijders: Penta

The son of renowned bandleader Eddy Snijders, Dutch-Surinamese multi-instrumentalist Ronald Snijders is best known as a flautist and for the four albums he released between 1977 and 1983 on his own label, Black Straight Music. An original copy of his debut, Natural Sources (1977), is considered a holy grail among collectors of 70s jazz fusion.

Born in 1951 in Paramaribo, Suriname, on the northwest coast of South America, Snijders began learning to play the flute at age seven years old. He moved to the Netherlands in 1970, initially playing with Dutch bandleader Willem Breuker before forming his own band in 1977.

In 1973, he won the NOS Jazz Concours in Laren, and the prestigious Boy Edgar Prize in 2022. Both he and his father have been knighted for services to jazz in the Netherlands.

Snijders' compositions often incorporate Kaseko, a musical genre from his homeland, alongside elements of pop and world music. He explored Kaseko in depth during his musicological studies at the University of Amsterdam from 1986 to 1991 and continues to develop its rhythms—rooted in calypso and the Surinamese native kawina—while blending them with other hybrid musical styles.

Recorded direct-to-disc at Artone Studio in Haarlem, side one opens with "Kaseko Sisters," setting the tone with a lively percussive shuffle, jazzy horns, keys, and Snijders' signature flute. A deep funk groove drives both "Nevertheless" and "Basic Things," providing plenty of space for Snijders to shine. "Nite Time," true to its name, simmers into a cool, late-night samba, reflecting Snijders' deep love for Brazilian music.

On the flip side, the groove of "Fusionize" channels the spirit of a classic 70s Blue Note track. Snijders' flute takes on a breezier, more playful feel on the infectious "Maseko." The album winds down with "Ode to Wayne Shorter" and "Valsa," two downtempo pieces that close the set on a reflective note.

Penta clearly draws on influences from Latin, Brazilian, and Surinamese music. In many ways, it is a throwback to the golden era of 70s jazz-funk albums by artists like Bobbi Humphrey and Hubert Laws, while also blending traditional and modern jazz elements.

Penta marks a fresh chapter and a continuation of Snijders' legacy. His unique fusion of styles and prolific output make him a figure truly deserving of wider recognition. Chick Corea has praised him as "a great flautist and excellent composer."

Penta is also included in a five-album limited edition 'Blackbox' set, which features Snijders' Black Straight Music releases- -Natural Sources (1977), A Safe Return (1980), Black Straight Music (1981), and Quartz (1983)— alongside two cassettes and a 44-page LP-sized color booklet documenting the studio sessions."

Comments