Jim Snidero

Biography

Jim Snidero, born James J. Snidero on May 29, 1958, in Redwood City, California, to Italian-American parents, grew up in Camp Springs, Maryland, near Washington, D.C. From a young age, he was immersed in music through family and school programs, quickly developing talent on the alto saxophone. As a teenager, he studied with esteemed saxophonists including Phil Woods, Jim Murphy, Ron Diehl, Tim Eyerman, and later David Liebman. He attended the University of North Texas, performing with the renowned One O'Clock Lab Band in 1980-1981, honing his skills in a premier jazz program.[1][2][3][4]

Moving to New York City in 1981 at age 23, Snidero rapidly established himself, first joining Brother Jack McDuff's band and recording albums like Having a Good Time (1982) and Lift Every Voice and Sing (1983). His sideman career flourished with ensembles such as Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra (1983), Frank Wess Sextet (1985), Mingus Big Band (1996-2000), Eddie Palmieri's band (from 1994), and Frank Sinatra's band (1991-1995, including Duets II). As a leader, he debuted with On Time (1984), followed by acclaimed releases like Mixed Bag (1987), Blue Afternoon (1989)—named among the 1001 best jazz albums—and Strings (2003), showcasing his compositional range from post-bop to string arrangements. His style blends hard bop influences with virtuoso improvisation, rich tone, and stylistic diversity across over 25 leader albums on labels like Criss Cross, Milestone, and Savant.[1][2][3][4][9]

A Grammy winner and DownBeat Critics' Poll recipient, Snidero has shaped jazz education as the best-selling author of the Jazz Conception series (1996 onward), The Essence of the Blues (2018), and The Essence of Bebop (2020). Faculty at The New School, with visiting roles at Indiana and Princeton Universities, his legacy endures through innovative recordings like Live at the Deer Head (2021, 5-star DownBeat review) and over 16 million streams, affirming his status as a master alto saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator.[1][2][4][6]

Fun Facts

• Snidero performed uncredited in Frank Sinatra's big band for the Chairman of the Board's 1994 swan song at Sands Atlantic City.
• His album Blue Afternoon (1989) is listed in The Penguin Jazz Guide: The History of the Music in the 1001 Best Albums as one of the best jazz records ever.
• He revolutionized jazz education with the Jazz Conception series in 1996, becoming the best-selling jazz author of his generation.
• Snidero earned a Grammy as featured soloist with Brian Lynch and played with Sting and Tony Bennett among diverse artists.

Associated Acts

• Mike LeDonne's Big Band

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Phil Woods - Primary teenage saxophone teacher and lifelong hero (Early private studies) [1970s]
• David Liebman - Post-NY move saxophone study (Private lessons in New York) [1981 onward]
• Jim Murphy - Early saxophone teacher in D.C. area (Local studies) [Pre-college]
• Ron Diehl - Early saxophone teacher (Local studies) [Pre-college]
• Tim Eyerman - Early saxophone teacher (Local studies) [Pre-college]

Key Collaborators

• Brother Jack McDuff - Band member and recording artist (Having a Good Time (1982), Lift Every Voice and Sing (1983)) [1981-1983]
• Toshiko Akiyoshi - Jazz Orchestra member (Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra recordings) [1983]
• Frank Sinatra - Big band saxophonist (Duets II (1994)) [1991-1995]
• Eddie Palmieri - Band member (Eddie Palmieri band recordings) [1994 onward]
• Mingus Big Band - Working member (Mingus Big Band performances and recordings) [1996-2000]
• Brian Lynch - Quintet trumpeter and frequent sideman (Mixed Bag (1987), Grammy-winning project) [1980s onward]
• Tom Harrell - Quintet trumpeter (Leader quintet albums) [1989-1992]
• Benny Green - Quintet pianist (Mixed Bag (1987)) [1987-1991]
• Linda Oh - Bassist in guitar-centric quartet (Stream of Consciousness (2013)) [2010s]
• Rudy Royston - Drummer in recent projects (Stream of Consciousness (2013)) [2010s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz