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.

 

Looking to broaden his horizons in 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.

 

In 2014, he wrote the horn arrangements for the innovative swing jazz band Kahulanui’s, Hula Ku’i album which received a nomination for a Grammy Award and the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. He enjoys arranging and has worked out of Charles Brotman’s Studio, Mana Music Studio with Michael Surprenant, and with various other artists.

 

He is an integral part of these albums:

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2022 Jazz at Manta with Gary Washburn - Sax Monkey Hawaii

2021 Lost on Purpose by the Castaways - Studio Kumau

2021 Synesthesia by the Red Water Trio - Studio Kumau

2018 Mele Ho’oilina by Kahulanui - Kahulanui

2017 Live at the Church by Ricardo and Friends – Studio Kumau

2016 Sassy by Gary Washburn – Studio Milan                

2016 Boundaries by the Slippersons - Studio Kumau/Lava Tracks

2015 The Jazz Angle by Red Water Trio – Lava Tracks

2015 New from Hawaii to New York EP by Kahulanui-Palm Records

2012 Hula Ku’i by Kahulanui – Palm Records

 

In 2020 he released his solo album MUSE:

The MUSE album pays tribute to the most inspirational and supportive people that have had a significant impact on him. It was a labor of love producing this album dedicated to and inspired by the muses that have shaped and colored his life and he hopes it will evoke an unparalleled musical experience through intimacy and love. This vision is shared by Executive Producer Richard Russell and co-producers Michael Surprenant and Andree Fallas.

 

The MUSE album has Jesse playing tenor and baritone saxophones, clarinet, flute, drums and percussion and singing. The album includes internationally acclaimed Kimo Cornwell of Hiroshima band; Hoku-award winning, Maggie Herron; the guitar stylings of Curt Warren; bass and guitar virtuoso Matt Spencer; nostalgic steel guitar by Dwight Tokumoto, piano by Loren Wilken, upright bass by Brian McCree and drums by Michael Surprenant.

 

Where will Jesse Snyder be in five years? In ten years?

He says: “Further down the road, I guess…having experienced many inspiring and diverse events in my musical life and having created memories that have enriched who I am. I’ll continue to seek new collaborations and maintain all the great ones I have now.” He looks forward to experiencing it all!

 

Contact: saxmonkeyhi@gmail.com 

Promotions Publicist: Andree Fallas

Visit: www.jessejsnyder.com and LIKE the Jesse J Snyder Group FB page and Jesse Snyder Hawaii on YouTube.