Sunady Music Muse Day (Covid Edition) John & David Sneider, Gene Bertonciini

This Sunday Music Muse Day find me fighting the ever present Covid-19 virus (first time).  It's been a week and I'm still testing positive, but I must say all things considered, I'm having a mild case, so far. More like a bad cold. Rest and hydration seems to being doing the trick. Luckily, before being forced to quarantine, I get these two jazz gems to help me get back to health.  First, John & David Sneider Sneid Remarks, a family affair from the members of one of the most talented musical families I have come across.  They are of course related to guitarist and Eastman School of Music instructor Bob Sneider, and Bob's talent son Ben Snieder, who just give his Senior recital at Eastman school.  I had the pleasure of hearing, meeting, and talking to John and David at Bobs's gigs from time to time.   Sneid Remarks is an impressive outing of this father-son trumpet duo presenting a set of all originals. I'll be spending a lot of time with this CD. David's tune, "Freedom Tunnel" is already being a favorite of mine. One last note, the cover photo and design is pure jazz classic imagery. Good job, guys. Buy this CD by all means.

Next is Gene Bertoncini Body and Soul, an excellent 5-star rated solo CD the great guitarist, with a stellar career as a leader, sideman, and educator, included teaching at the Eastman School of Music.  This 1999 recording session first of two solo recordings, the second was "Quiet Now" (2015), which I have, also.  The music is truly positive medicine for my "body and soul" right now. Well worth a listen.

Again, these are two gems, not to be missed.  Hopefully, I'll all recovered by the Christmas day.  Thanks, again, for all the well-wishes.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Let the Holidays Begin - Bob Snieder

On this Sunday Music Muse Day, we started the morning with holiday music by Bob Sneider  The Merry Gentlemen, Christmas on the Rocks CD.  A local jazz talent and treasure, Bob playing guitar and ukulele, is joined by his equally talented brother, John Sneider, on trumpet and whistle on a nice assortment of seasonal favorites.  

Lisa and I are looking forward to seeing Bob and his trio at the Little Cafe on New Year's Eve, which has become a welcomed annual event for us.  Hope everyone comes to join us, and help see the year off on a high note.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Artemis, Gerry Gibbs Sextet

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us enjoying periods of sunny breaks between periods of passing snow falls. The temperature is cold and hasn't raised above freezing in weeks, so the snow is piling up, but manageable in our area, not what in Texas and other parts of the country are experiencing.  Still, sitting down in a comfy chair, a warm drink and good read, while listening to some music could be the order of the day. First is Artemis, an all female jazz group's debut recording by the same name.  I totally support the group on the strength of their music alone.  It's a shame being an "all female group" is such a rarity in the music business, to have be noted.  I definitely look forward to more from the group. My favorite tune on the CD is Nocturno written by Anat Cohen, Clarinet, bass clarinet. 

My second selection is Gerry Gibbs Sextet The Thrasher. This is the drummer's debut recording from 1995, featuring his friend Ravi Coltrane, son of jazz legend John Coltrane, on saxophones. Also in the group is local musician, Joe Locke, on vibes.  This is high energy set that shows why Gibbs earned the nickname "Thrasher".  I couldn't help be think what a session where "The Thrasher meet the Scrapper", John Sneider, trumpeter would sound like.  I imagine they might have met through Joe Locke at some point.  If a session ever happens I want credit for it.

Winter has hit with a vengeance, so stay warm, stay safe. 

Sunday Music Muse Day - John Sneider, Pat Metheny

This will be a fun Sunday Music Muse Day post featuring two new releases.  First up,  John Sneider The Scrapper. The talent trumpet player with a long list of credits from his extensive experience in the New York jazz scene, and brother of guitarist and local hero Bob Sneider.  The title tune, "The Scrapper", John's nickname, kicks off this swinging set in blazing fashion.  I'm totally enjoying this and recommend it whole heartedly.  I got to see John play with Bob at New Year Eve gig at the Little Theatre Cafe several years back, where I got to meet his 20 year son Ben, who is on a tune, he wrote, on the CD.  Fruit doesn't fall far from this talented family tree.  I hope John brings his group to Rochester someday.  Until then, I 'll have to keep spinning this CD. (This CD cover is going become a jazz classic)

Next up is the latest by Pat Metheny From this Place.  It another fine example of his excellent guitar playing and his strong composing.  This session feature intimate small group interplay and full blown orchestral arrangement.  I was really struck by the crispness of the drums on this CD.  The artistry of Pat Metheny never ceases to amaze me.  I also highly recommend this.

What is left to say but, find yourself some music, and enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Mike Melito Trio, John Sneider

This Sunday Music Day find me kicking myself for missing the Mike Melito Trio as Girasole Wine Bar, late night.  Totally my fault.  I made a reservation and was put on a waiting list, but didn't hear my phone ring while at the noisy Jojo Bistro, with friends, when they called to say they had an opening.  So when we got Girasole the seats were gone.  Bob Sneider tried to get us in, but no luck, there were  four of us, so that made it harder.  In any case, the owners of Girasole did their best, they're alway great. We'll see guys at their next gig.

(Photo:  Arron Winters)

In the meantime, I'd like to give a heads up to new releases Mike, Bob, and his brother John Sneider have coming up. Mike and Bob are on the new release by Doug Stone another local musician, just released last week.  I looking forward to picking up a copy soon.

John Sneider has a new record, The Scrapper, coming out February 21.

Finally, Mike Melito announced has a new CD coming out in the spring.

(Photo: Arron Winters)
So,  all in all there will be plenty of good music coming my way in the near future.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Bob Sneider, Paul Silbergleit

The week's Sunday Music Muse Day will be a brief one.  We had trip to the emergency room over night, not life threatening, but tiring the less.  After allowing myself to sleep until noon, I play my first selection to ease into the day.  Bob Sneider Out of the Darkness, one of Rochester's finest musicians, guitarist and favorite of mine. This is Bob's second recording which features, the swinging Mike Melito on drums, and his Bob's brother, John Sneider on trumpet.  Unfortunately, I have to miss a performance by Bob and Mike at the Lovin' Cup, a local venue.  I was looking forward to good music, and a good meal.  Listening to Out of Darkness will have to be my consolation prize for the evening.  I'll definitely make the next gig.

My second selection, is someone new to me, Paul Silbergleit Silberglicity.  The liner notes from this 1996 release, described his playing as "...will surely impress even the toughest listeners of straight-ahead jazz."   So, I figured it was worth a listen.  I'm am impressed and most of the tunes are originals.   Checking out his web site, he has many things is common with Bob Sneider, "Paul Silbergleit is a Milwaukee-based jazz guitarist, composer, educator, and author. Straight-ahead in style, he bears the influence of figures such as Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Pat Metheny, Pat Martino, and Kenny Burrell."  I think he and Bob could have a lot to talk about.

That's it for this week. Hope you find some music to calm the chaos, but no Kenny G.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Bob Snieder and Joe Locke, Steve Swallow, Emily Remler (revisited)

On this, another overcast day in Rochester, NY, the music of my Sunday Music Muse Day picks help brighten the spirits.  First up is a companion CD to one I featured last August, that being Bob Sneider & Joe Locke Film Noir Project, "Fallen Angel" (2006).  Nocturne for Ave is the second in their "Film Noir Project", again with Bob's brother, John Sneider on Trumpet. I could play both of these CD all day, and night,  and not get tire of them.  I hope they do more in the future. (My special thanks to Jack Garner, veteran film and jazz critic, who commented on my original Facebook post and told me this CD existed.  He also wrote the liner notes.  Very cool)

Next up is a 1991 solo outing by noted jazz bass player and composer, Steve Swallow titled 'Swallow".   His discography is too massive to list here. Steve Swallow is well known for his association as noted in his wikipedia page, "In 1978 Swallow became an essential and constant member of Carla Bley's band. He has been Bley's romantic partner since the 1980s. He toured extensively with John Scofield in the early 1980s".  My first exposure was to Steve Swallow was his playing with John Scofield, on LPs and live.  Both Bley and Scofield play on this CD. This CD's music easily lives up to the 4/5 star rating on the All Music site listing.

My last pick is a follow up to last week's, post about guitarist Emily Remler.  I mention I was totally thrilled with he last posthumous CD, This is Me,  and mentioned liking her early recordings, more.  As it would happen, I found a CD of it, The Emily Remler Quartet Take Two, and as the title and this quote from an All Music site reveiw states, "Emily Remler's second recording as a leader finds the 24-year-old guitarist still very much playing in the Wes Montgomery vein, although showing her own musical personality here and there."  Hearing it again, only confirmed this session was much more to my liking.

As I finish this post, it's now raining as the sun goes down.  But this music brightens my spirit. I hop you find some good music to do the same, always. Enjoy.