Jim Snidero: Project-K

  Alto saxophonist Jim Snidero’s latest release is Project-K, recorded with a sextet incorporating the gayageum, a Korean zither-like instrument played here by Do Yeon Kim. Jazz has a long history of adapting fresh instruments and rhythms, constantly expanding the field of musical possibilities. Snidero, whose has been married to a Korean woman for more than two decades, writes that his intention with this disc “was to blend traditional Korean texture with my music.” He’s assembled a genuine all-star band to help, with trumpeter Dave Douglas, pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Linda May Han Oh, and drummer Rudy Royston. The veteran Snidero sounds great, with his powerful sound and inventive spirit. He composed most of the tunes for the date. The nicely varied program also includes versions of Jenga, a K-Pop song from 2018 that showcases a sturdy and rhythmically astute solo by pianist Evans, and the Korean folk song Han O Bak Nyun. Snidero can’t resist the pun of Seoulful, but his tune fits the bill, as the rolling rhythms of Royston propel solos by the horns. Mother, with its sinuous melody, features a lively duet for trumpet and gayageum and an alto solo that finds Snidero plumbing the lower registers of his alto. The gayageum, boldly played by Do Yeon Kim, fits in perfectly everywhere. Sometimes it sounds like a guitar, sometimes it shadows the bass parts, and at still other times, Kim emphasizes the percussive possibilities of the instrument. Snidero’s arrangements here typically begin with gayageum, which sets the tone for the rest of the band. Kim proceeds to weave in and out of the ensemble. More often than not over the course of a full disc, one particular musician will stand out from the rest. Not here though. Project-K is of those relatively rare releases where that doesn’t happen. Everyone gets a chance to stand out, and on a piece like the hard-charging DMZ, with the whole band wailing, it’s impossible (and pointless) to single anyone out. The impeccable and ultra-dynamic rhythm team of Evans, Oh, and Royston is a joy throughout, and let’s not forget the incisive trumpet work of Dave Douglas. Snidero was pretty happy with the results, telling Ted Panken that he hopes “to do another record with this configuration.” I’ll be looking forward to that one, but for now, there’s Project-K to enjoy, again and again. 

Savant SCD 2185; Dave Douglas (tpt) Jim Snidero (as) Orrin Evans (p) Linda May Han Oh (b) Rudy Royston (d) Do Yeon Kim (gayageum; exc. on *); Astoria, NY, August 11, 2019; Han/ DMZ/ Jeju/ Mother/ Jenga*/ Seoulful/ Goofy/ Han O Bak Nyun; 53:26. www.jazzdepot.com