For those not in the know, having been a side man for over 30 years on recordings for many different groups, this is the first opportunity Steve Snyder had to record his own music.

Some of the pieces begin with a simple, memorable melody as a starting point for improvisation; others respond to influential compositions that have long inspired him.

With respect to organists, Leon Spencer’s playing and repertoire were huge influences on his music. Here on his new album as a trio, Introducing Prime Vintage (October 4th, 2023), his arrangement of “message From The meters” is a tribute to Spencer, whose work in the early ‘70s helped to set the standard in organ playing of that era and deserves mention with other organ greats of history.

“All of the music I have loved and people I’ve played with,” he adds, “my friends, family, teachers, colleagues, students are all part of my music. I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of them.”

1. Legacy (5:59)
2. Message From The Meters (6:16)
3. Sharp Left (4:53)
4. So Be (6:36)
5. Fourth Sixth (5:57)
6. Thank You (6:53)
7. Those Two (3:21)
8. So That’s What This Is About (7:26)

The album opens on the veritably shimmering Legacy and the Message From The Meters and they are followed by the poptastic-guitar fervency within Sharp Left, the sculpted frenetic majesties of So Be, the laid back ambiance of Fourth Sixth, then we get given the finger-snapper Thank You, the recording rounding out on the stunning, glistening Those Two, coming to a close on the methodically-charged, rhythmically-hued So That’s What This Is About.

Musicians:
Steve Snyder, organ
Joel Tucker, guitar
Kenny Phelps, drum set

Official Website

Steve Snyder Big Band @ Facebook