Jesse Snyder Hawaii
jessejsnyder.com
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Jesse Snyder plays classic and innovative jazz tunes, R&B and blues by switching from tenor or baritone saxophone, clarinet and the drums/percussion. He has a smooth baritone singing voice for his solo, duo and trio performances at venues, residences, concerts, special events or as part of a band.
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Solo: Jesse with tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet with tracks and sound system, or as a band member or for enhancing DJ dance parties.
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Duo Quartet: Jesse-playing saxophones, clarinet and drums/percussion with keyboardist playing left-handed bass. This duo sounds like a quartet.
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Trio or Quartet: 3 or 4-piece smooth and classic jazz, R&B and easy listening tunes.
Jesse Snyder is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer and vocalist. He plays tenor and baritone saxophones, clarinet, flute, drums, has a smooth baritone singing voice and is one of the most sought after musicians in Hawai'i for both live performances and recording sessions. He plays traditional Hawaiian nose flute and ipu (gourd) when performing with Kahulanui the 2018 recipients of the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Jazz Album of the Year.
When performing, his classic cool style can be light-hearted with whimsical riffs, deep down soulfully funky or creatively upbeat with hi-hat or his signature high kick, he is always involved and enthusiastic. He transcends multi- genres… including jazz, neo-soul, R&B, reggae, hip hop, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and contemporary jazz lending a fresh energy to every performance.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Jesse grew up with great musical influences. One grandfather gave him his first clarinet at age 10 and the other gave access to his big band record collection including the classic standards of Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. His guitar-playing dad and mom supported his musical education with private lessons with Marty Caruso, who was the musical director for a local TV talent show host, Al Alberts and the Four Aces. He easily mastered the clarinet and continued to broaden his horizons with the saxophone. At Elizabethtown College he was recognized by classically-trained Doris Hall-Gulati who saw his potential and abilities. He attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Music in Lancaster and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, was in the pit band at the Norman Rockwell Theatre at Penn State and was in a band that opened for McCoy Tyner of John Coltrane’s Band. He moved to Hawaii in 2009.
Jumping into the Hawaii music scene, he performed at the Kava Bar in Hawi, then at the Red Water Café providing the music for Friday night diners. He quickly gained a presence with a number of bands like Ollie Mitchell’s Olliephonics, Slippersons, Castaways, Red Water Trio, Volcano Jazz Ensemble and occasionally as Jesse Snyder Jazz Trio and Gary Washburn & friends. Adding to his versatility, he became a part of Bump City, a 4-horn funk band and Peak, a neo-soul group. He more recently is playing percussion and drums in different genre configurations at KingsLand Clubhouse Waikoloa, the Manta Lounge at the Mauna Kea Resort, Gertrudes, Red Water Café, the Kahilu Theatre, enjoys studio sessions and doing horn arrangements for different groups of varying genres. More at jessejsnyder.com