Alex Snydman - Fortunate Action (2013)

This is drummer, Alex Snydman's, debut album. The album features three very talented and varied pianists that he has worked with intimately in the last six years (Thelonious Monk Institute's Miro Sprague, NYC's Chris Pattishall, and Northampton, MA veteran Doug Abrams). The album also features two bass players that Snydman has worked with extensively in various settings (Alec Derian and Tyler Heydolph), while also featuring saxophonist Carl Clements on two tracks. Alex wanted to synthesize his time on the East Coast with an album honoring these various trio's endeavors, focusing almost entirely on original music by himself as well as each pianist, save a few choice obscure standards (Herbie Hancock's 'Tell Me A Bedtime Story' and the Ellington/Strayhorn ballad 'Star Crossed Lovers'). This record truly reflect a deep reverence for what modern jazz has become, embodying many influences from neo soul, odd meter, mixed meter, straight ahead bebop and more.

Tracklist:

1. In Joy
2. Cross-Fade
3. One For Elegua
4. Fortunate Action
5. Star Crossed Lovers
6. Tell Me A Bed Time Story
7. Wise Mind
8. Non Linear
9. Eternal Recurrence

Personnel:

Alex Snydman: drums 1-9;
Chris Pattishall: piano 1,5,6;
Doug Abrams: piano 2,3,8,9;
Miro Sprague: piano 4,7;
Alec Derian: bass 1,3,4,5,6,7,8;
Tyler Heydolph: bass 2,9;
Carl Clements: tenor & soprano sax 3,8.