Jim Snidero – Standards + Plus (2000 – Double Time)

Supported by a flawless grooving rhythm section (pianist Mike LeDonne, bassist Dennis Irwin, drummer Kenny Washington), Snidero finesses his way through this set with a level of expertise that makes it seem like he was born hugging an alto saxophone.
The group’s swinging treatment of “You And The Night And The Music” works two perspectives at the same time in that it marries a modal approach with straight changes; Snidero floats over the extended vamp with flexible phrases, While Ledonne fluidly negotiates the less harmonically stationary section of the arrangement.
“Round Midnight” gives Snidero a chance to lay back and relax, seamlessly moving from lyrical, succinct ideas to more active lines. And “Bluesville” is a medium tempo 12-bar outing that adds a funky factor to the otherwise sophisticated program. Throughout the set, LeDonne does everything right, pumping out hip voicings and fills that catalyze Snidero, enabling him to improvise with exceptional freedom and fluency.
JazzTimes (Jim Ferguson)

Tracklist:

1. You and the Night and the Music
2. Long Ago (And Far Away)
3. ‘Round Midnight
4. Twilight Waltz
5. Along Came Betty
6. You’re My Everything
7. Bluesville
8. What’s New?
9. Without a Song

Personnel:
Jim Snidero (Alt Sax)
Mike LeDonne (Piano)
Dennis Irwin (Bass)
Kenny Washington (Drums)

Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 28. & 29. 8. 1997 – Label: Double Time

Buy at Amazon
Listen for Once, Delete, then Buy:      Download

Joshua Breakstone: Let’s Call This Monk! – (1997 – Joshua Breakstone)

 This excellent set, which features guitarist Rodney Jones on his melodic originals, blues, ballads, and a few standards, sounds as if it were recorded in 2005 except for one fact. Pianist Kenny Kirkland, who passed away prematurely in 1998, is in the quartet. Surprisingly no date is included in the liner notes, so the 1985 date given for the previously unreleased set is just an educated guess, since it is mentioned that bassist Marc Johnson was new in town at the time of the recording. It is a joy to hear some “new” Kirkland solos but the contributions of Jones, Johnson, and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts (who is very subtle throughout) should not be overlooked either. Jones’ songs are excellent, with “Blue Days, Blue Dreams” and “While We Dream” in particular being rewarding ballads that should be covered by others.
Scott Yanow  (All Music Guide)

Track listing
1. Let’s Call This
2. Work
3. We See
4. Reflections
5. Monk’s Dream
6. I Mean You
7. Ruby, My Dear
8. Eronel
9. Brilliant Corners
10. Humph

Personnel:
Joshua Breakstone (guitar)
Dennis Irwin (bass)
Mickey Roker (drums)

Original Release Date: March 18, 1997 – Label: Double Time Jazz

Buy at Amazon
Listen for once, delete then buy