Results for "Snarky Puppy"

Snarky Puppy

The last four years have brought dramatic changes for Snarky Puppy. After a decade of relentless touring and recording in all but complete obscurity, the Texas-bred/New York-based quasi-collective suddenly found itself held up by the press and public as one of the major figures in the jazz world. But as the category names for all three of the band’s Grammy® awards would indicate (Best R&B Performance in 2014, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2016 and 2017), Snarky Puppy isn’t exactly a jazz band. It’s not a fusion band, and it’s definitely not a jam band. It’s probably best to take Nate Chinen of the New York Times’ advice, as stated in an online discussion about the group, to “take them for what they are, rather than judge them for what they’re not.” Snarky Puppy is a collective of sorts with as many as 25 members in regular rotation

Book of Queens

by Doug Collette
April 29, 2024

Released in 2023 with next to no fanfare, the very gestation of the Eric Krasno/Stanton Moore Project's first effort carries a cachet all its own. Recorded at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, New York, and mixed by Jim Scott (Tedeschi Trucks Band, Wilco), Book of Queens is tribute to women in music wherein the nine covers ...

Record Store Day 2024 Jazz Releases

by Kyle Simpler
April 11, 2024

Every year, Record Store Day (RSD) promises limited edition vinyl releases for all tastes in music. From the latest popular artists to the most obscure archival releases, RSD drops try to cover a lot of musical territory. Practically all genres of music are represented and, of course, jazz is no exception. Fortunately, the April 2024 drop ...

Last Ark Out: Lift

by Neil Duggan
March 12, 2024

Not a band to let a pandemic or distance get in their way, Last Ark Out managed to collaborate with a number of guest musicians across North America during times of social distancing to produce their second album, Lift. This follows on from Wake (Multiverse Mule Records, 2017). They are a Vancouver and Montreal-based instrumental collective ...

Drummers Cindy Blackman Santana, Senri Kawaguchi, Mark Lettieri and Snarky Puppy

by Len Davis
March 3, 2024

British Guitarist Jack Gardner with bassist Henrik Linder, Hungarian guitarist Mike Gotthard, and drummers Cindy Blackman Santana and Senri Kawaguchi. Christian Scott's R+R Now, Mark Lettieri's Things Of That Nature and Snarky Puppy's Immigrance. Finnish guitarist Jere Haakana, Serbian band Bosque and from France Shob'sVoraces. Playlist Owane “U.T.F.F" from Shred Redemption (Self Produced) 00:00 ...

Brock, Lanzetti, Ogawa: Drawing Songs

by Mike Jacobs
February 4, 2024

Encountering new additions to the Snarky Puppy musical diaspora is always interesting. Some members' solo efforts are more direct stylistic offshoots of the mother band while others branch out in very different directions, but it is a safe bet that they will showcase the musicianship which got them into the burgeoning collective in the first place. ...

Dean Brown: Global Fusion on Acid

by Jim Worsley
February 3, 2024

In memory of Dean Brown. This interview was first published at All About Jazz on April 23, 2021. From the outset, the equation was simple enough. Jazz + rock = fusion. However, whether it was Miles Davis, Larry Coryell, John McLaughlin, or any of the pioneers of fusion, the music has always been far ...

Kinga Glyk: Real Life

by Mike Jurkovic
January 15, 2024

Throughout daredevil bassist Kinga Głyk's Real Life there are several moments which border menacingly on mainstream Euro-pop and wanna-be fusion. Fortunately those (intentional or unintentional?) moments are heavily outweighed and outnumbered by thrillingly incandescent moments which lend themselves to that old catch-all street phrase of the '60s, '70s, and '80s: “Man this is some really high ...

Wide-Eyed Lounge Cats: The Watermelon Sessions

by Kyle Simpler
December 20, 2023

Originally developing from rock music, jam bands have become a unique genre of music. Considering the improvised nature of the music, it is hardly surprising that many jazz artists have become major players in the jam base. Groups such as Snarky Puppy and Medeski, Martin and Wood have embraced the genre while keeping true to their ...

Meet Tubist Jim Shearer

by AAJ Staff
December 7, 2023

Meet Jim Shearer Jim Shearer was born in Water Valley, Mississippi, in 1964. His family owned the local newspaper, The North Mississippi Herald, from 1943-2004, and his father was an active musician on the side, playing jazz saxophone and serving as Minister of Music at the family church (but never at the same time!). After spending ...