Learning from the masters

By Tony Sauro
Record Staff Writer
November 21, 2013 12:00 AM

Jim Snidero's voluminous writings - and his fundamental jazz mantra - are based on mastering the masters.

Guys like Frank Sinatra.

"It's, you know, to learn from the past," said Snidero, a New York City-based saxophone player who's published three 11-volume series of instructive book-CDs and toured for five years as a member of Sinatra's band. "Learn from the masters. Complete immersion in the masters, so you have the tools to become yourself. Master the music, material and styles."

Snidero has been passing that message along to students this week during a residency at University of the Pacific. Two of them get a live lesson tonight, performing in a quartet with Snidero at Stockton's Take 5 Jazz at the Brew.

"I saw the need," said Snidero, 55, who prepared and published his extensive guides - adaptable for 45 instruments - between 1996 and 2003. "I've lived in New York for 33 years and I had a very good idea what it should sound like. I didn't think there was a manual that taught authentic jazz sounds.

"It's all based on the music of the masters," he said, among whom Snidero - an alto saxophone specialist - includes Phil Woods, his early mentor, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis.

Of course, Sinatra (1915-98) was a venerated 20th-century vocal crooner. Not a jazzman. However, he could "swing" and a lot of masterful musicians - with well-honed jazz chops - kept his bands jumping.

Snidero did that from 1991 to 1995, playing on Sinatra's "Duets II" album (1994).

"I mean, it's extraordinary," Snidero said Monday, while traveling from Sacramento to Stockton. "You're around a genius and you see how he brings that to bear every night on the music at the very highest level of human expression. If you let yourself absorb that, you can learn a lot.

"There are a number of things that are equally important: immersion in the moment, details of expression, musicality and sensitivity. It was an exceptional group. It always sounded good. I never heard any complaints. One of my (career) highlights was being with Sinatra for five years."

Not hanging out with him, though: "You don't talk to Frank. He talks to you. You lay low and play the gig."

Learning all the way, of course.

That's what Snidero - who was born in Redwood City when his dad was a student at Stanford University - equips young musicians with at New York's New School University. As an adjunct instructor, he teaches courses in jazz and contemporary music.

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