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Saxophonist Andy Snitzer is ready for
another round. The Rhythm
(Native Language, 2013) is the promising
follow-up to Traveler (2011),
which peaked in the top 10 of
Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz
chart, scoring two top-five singles.
Snitzer has been a member of the Rolling
Stones’ Voodoo Lounge and Bridges to
Babylon world tours, and since 1999 a
member of Paul Simon’s band. He has
performed in several genres, having
dates with such acts as Eric Clapton,
Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Vanessa
Williams, Nancy Wilson, Jay-Z, Jane
Monheit and Christina Aguilera.
“Candy,” the first single, sets the tone
for the entire set. This groove is
punctuated by cool bass of James Genus
with the horn section of Jim Hynes and
Tony Kadleck on trumpets, and Michael
Davis on trombone. Alain Mallet on keys,
Bernd Schoenhart on guitar and Michael
White on drums complete the lineup.
Snitzer leads the way on tenor, playing
happily.
“Caso
De Amor” is a charming ballad that has a
slight, South American flavor. Graham
Hawthorne takes over drum duties, with
Tim Lefebvre on bass and Chuck Loeb on
guitar. Co-producer David Mann adds a
lovely background string arrangement.
Snitzer’s play conjures visions of an
easygoing, nighttime drive along the
beach with moonlight glistening off the
water’s surface. There’s even a passage
after Loeb’s middle solo where the music
softens, and one can almost hear the
waves crash upon the shore. The song has
a Getz/Gilberto bossa nova vibe.
In addition to saxophone, Snitzer plays
keyboards and provides MIDI programming.
Mann injects woodwinds, string
arrangements and MIDI programming. Some
of the other personnel on this date are
Shawn Pelton, drums; Teddy Kumpel,
guitar; and Till Bronner, trumpet.
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