JOHN & DAVID SNEIDER – SNEID REMARKS

Continuing the tradition of the quintet with two identical brass instruments, father and son trumpet together, supported by a high-flying rhythm section led by the inspired Jeb Patton on piano and bassist Ugonna Okegwo, long-time accompanist to Tom Harrell, who knows what the world of mouthpiece means..

Listening to this very bop-influenced album is like listening to family, in every sense of the word, and although it’s very traditionally made, the recording shines through the constant exchange of vocals and counter-vocals between our two blowers. The listener is suspended by a series of chases that play on complementarity rather than competition.

The instrumental technique is beyond reproach, bringing us closer to a sound that some might find dated, except that it’s a dating that’s reminiscent of the Lee Morgan era, an undeniable guarantee of quality on the instrument.

From a little bit of the ’50s with the title track Louis Bannet, we immediately move on to a very contemporary reading with the following track Pixel People, on which Jeb Patton regales us with a Hal Galper-style accompaniment. From the art of mixing tempi that also create atmospheres (Points of Light) with the use of mutes and the wha-wha effect made with a piston, then an accompaniment from the rhythm section that one might think is on the reserve, but whose support is an impetus to better launch improvised speeches.

Father or son? It’s not always clear whether the ingenuity of such an exercise consists in having one trumpet for two or the opposite. In any case, this is an opportunity to emphasize once again the magnificence of this brass on a piece of writing whose finely-tuned thread restores the perfect balance of sharp yet melodic playing.

And despite the over-representation of the brassy tone, the rhythm section should not be overlooked, as the piano, bass and drums form a pure trio at the service of the Sneider family’s sonata for mouthpieces.

This type of quintet is quite rare these days, which is why it’s well worth listening carefully to this association of goldsmiths (Playing For No One). A final burst of piano and trumpet-like staccati (The Lobster)… When can we expect another family discussion?