Jim Snidero


James J. Snidero is an American jazz saxophonist.

Performance career

Snidero grew up in the Washington DC area, then attended the U of North Texas and performed in the One O'clock Lab band. He moved to New York City in 1981 and recorded and toured with Jack McDuff from 1981 to 1982, then joined Toshiko Akiyoshi's Jazz Orchestra in 1983 in New York, and performed with the group for twenty years. He also played in Frank Sinatra's band from 1991 to 1995 and Eddie Palmieri's band beginning 1994. Snidero also has performed with the Frank Wess Sextet, the Mingus Big Band from 1996 to 2000, and Walt Weiskopf from 1994 to 2003. He has worked as a sideman for David Hazeltine, David Murray, Mike LeDonne, Joe Magnarelli, Maria Schneider, Mel Lewis, Jim Rotondi, Brian Lynch, Conrad Herwig, and Tom Varner.
In 1984 he formed his own quintet and recorded and performed with sidemen that includes trumpeters Brian Lynch, Tom Harrell, and Tim Hagans ; the pianists Benny Green, and Mulgrew Miller ; the double bass players Peter Washington and Dennis Irwin; and the drummers Billy Hart, Louis Hayes, Gene Jackson, and Adam Nussbaum. From 2001-2004, he recorded for Milestone Records, including composing and arranging for a string ensemble. In 2007, Snidero was signed with the Highnote/Savant label, and has recorded nine leader dates with sidemen that include Dave Douglas, Orrin Evans, Jeremy Pelt, Linda May Han Oh, Andy LaVerne, Paul Bollenback and Rudy Royston.
He was awarded two National Endowment for the Arts grants, including one recording with Dave Holland and Jack Dejohnette, and has placed in both Downbeat Magazine's critics and readers polls.
Snidero performs frequently in the US, Europe, Japan and toured Australia in 2002.

Educator career

Snidero is an adjunct instructor at the Jazz and Contemporary Music Program at the New School University and was a visiting professor at Indiana University and Princeton University. He has written five series of jazz etude books keyed to play-along CDs. He also has produced courses in jazz improvisation and performance for The Jazz Conception Company
Snidero studied at the University of North Texas College of Music before moving to New York City in 1981.

As leader