Guitarist Bob Sneider Performs with VSU Jazz Ensemble Nov. 27

VALDOSTA — Before joining the Eastman School of Music as an assistant professor of jazz guitar in 1997, Bob Sneider toured for several years with two-time Grammy winner Chuck Mangione. He has also performed, toured, or recorded with Joe Locke, Nat Adderley, Don Menza, Lou Donaldson, Joey Defrancesco, Ken Peplowski, Gerry Niewood, Chris Potter, Roy McCurdy, Eric Alexander, David Hazeltine, John Faddis, Pat Labarbara, and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Pops.  

Sneider has performed in major festivals, concert halls, and jazz clubs throughout the world, and at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, he will perform with the Valdosta State University Jazz Ensemble in the Fine Arts Building’s Whitehead Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.

Directed by David Springfield, the VSU Jazz Ensemble will perform “Facing East” by Marcus Lewis, “Double Entendre” by Brian Dodd, “No Argument” by Hank Mobley, “The Waltz You ‘Swang’ For Me” by Thad Jones, “Born to be Blue” by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé, “Subconscious-Lee” by Lee Konitz, “Always and Forever” by Pat Metheny, and “Honesty” by David Baker. Lewis is a graduate of the university’s Department of Music; Dodd is a current student.

Four of the musical selections have been specially arranged for the performance by Springfield, who serves as director of the Jazz Studies program, directs the student Jazz Ensemble, and teaches jazz piano and courses in improvisation, jazz arranging, and jazz history. He has been with the university for 10 years.

VSU Jazz Ensemble members are:

Saxophones — Fernando Chavez, Landan Frazier, Nick Johnson, Emmanuel Johnson, and Shiree Williams

Trumpets — Brian Summerlin, Sage Khan, Brittany Loftin, and Eduardo Farias

Trombones — Brian Todd, Jacob Johnson, Josh Watford, and Zach Jones (bass)

Rhythm — John Neely (guitar), Jessica Holmes (piano), Trent Harper (bass), Anthony Bussey (drums), Travis King (drums), and Nancy Davis (vibes)

Whitehead Auditorium is located on the first floor of the Fine Arts Building, at the corner of Brookwood Drive and Oak Street.

Contact David Springfield at daspring@valdosta.edu for more information.