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Adam Schneit

Saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Adam Schneit grew up in Portland, Maine, and has made Brooklyn his home since 2006. He earned a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with esteemed artists including Steve Lacy and Bob Brookmeyer. Since moving to New York, he has contributed to the work of performers in a range of genres, from jazz musicians to singer-songwriters. His main project, the Adam Schneit Band, combines the freewheeling, improvisational spirit of jazz with the visceral directness and melodic purity of rock and folk music. The band (featuring Sean Moran, guitar; Eivind Opsvik, bass; and Kenny Wollesen, drums) released its first album, “Light Shines In,” on Fresh Sound New Talent records in December 2016.

Among the other creative artists he has made music with are David Ambrosio, George Schuller, Jacob Sacks, Chris Lightcap, Vinnie Sperrazza, Devin Gray, Flin van Hemmen, Sunny Kim, Heather Masse and Sofia Koutsovitis. He was a co-leader of the cooperative group Old Time Musketry, and regularly plays as a sideman in a number of groups, including the Anna Weber/Angela Morris Big Band and the Jesse Peterson Quartet. He also played on the soundtrack to the Oscar-nominated film, “Beasts of the Southern Wild.”

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10
Album Review

Webber / Morris Big Band: Both Are True

Read "Both Are True" reviewed by John Sharpe


On Both Are True Canadian composers and reed players Anna Webber and Angela Morris reimagine the language of the big band. They extend the tradition through adventurous arrangements spiced with the unpredictability of improv, by co-opting the nimbleness of a much smaller group, and reveling in non-standard techniques. Webber has already garnered plaudits for the work of her Simple Trio with Matt Mitchell and John Hollenbeck, while Morris' ventures such as the Motel Trio boast a lower profile so far. ...

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Take Five With...

Take Five with Adam Schneit

Read "Take Five with Adam Schneit" reviewed by Adam Schneit


Meet Adam Schneit: Saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Adam Schneit grew up in Portland, Maine, and has made Brooklyn his home since 2006. He earned a Master's degree in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with esteemed artists including Steve Lacy and Bob Brookmeyer. Since moving to New York, he has contributed to the work of performers in a range of genres, from jazz musicians to singer-songwriters. Among the creative artists he has ...

43
Album Review

Adam Schneit Band: Light Shines In

Read "Light Shines In" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


For several years, saxophonist Adam Schneit has been making the rounds as a first-call sideman other than co-leading Old Time Musketry and this talented quartet, instilled with his impressive compositional skills. Here, the musicians' venture into the outside realm while dishing out more conventional fare during various phases or movements. For example, the opener “A Clearer View," is erected with a laid-back groove and a cordial primary theme anchored by Eivind Opsvik's booming bass lines and drummer Kenny Wolleson's steady ...

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“…like songs without a singer. The leader’s tenor saxophone voice is up-close and warm…seeking emotional communication, giving space to lyrical ideas.” -Martin Longley, Downbeat

“There’s a Leonard Cohen reference in the title track, which is perhaps a reminder that Schneit’s main inspiration isn’t heads-and-chords jazz noodling but properly shaped songs by real songsmiths…Schneit has the authority and distinctiveness to make a virtue of diversity. Strongly recommended.” (Four stars) -Brian Morton, Jazz Journal (UK)

“…ups the ante with songs that have the power of Ornette Coleman’s work with Pat Metheny…The tenor solo covers a wide swath of melodic and sonic territory, dancing along atop the splashing cymbals, chunky guitar chords and bouncing bass lines…”Light Shines In“ has influences in the blues, country, jazz, and folk music, stirs in a generous helping of melody, conversational interaction and a sympathetic rhythm section, and asks that you just listen. If you spare the time, the music created by the Adam Schneit Band will give you much pleasure." -Richard Kamins, Step Tempest Blog

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Both Are True

Greenleaf Music
2020

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Light Shines In

Fresh Sound Records
2016

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Different Times

From: Light Shines In
By Adam Schneit

A Clearer View

From: Light Shines In
By Adam Schneit

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