The two are so relaxed together, so in each other's pocket that they make the most convoluted motifs sound effortless...
Through their first two releases, 2004's "Interconnection" and 2006's "Escapade," guitarist Bob Sneider and pianist Paul Hofmann have developed a masterful and imaginative creative duo dynamic that coalesces in their finest effort to date, "Serve And Volley." The 66-minute program features original music by Hofmann and Sneider as well as covers of two classic jazz piano compositions - "Peri's Scope" by Bill Evans (including the exciting incorporation of Evans's original improvisation into the duo arrangement) and "Inception," McCoy Tyner's rollicking minor blues. Recorded by Kent Heckman at his famed Red Rock Recording in Saylorsburg, PA, "Serve and Volley" is a swinging, accessible and highly rewarding peek into a very creative relationship.
Track Listing:
1 Warm Welcome 6:30
2 Grace 5:36
3 Inception 5:00
4 Samba Getz 7:11
5 High Peaks 4:55
6 Peri's Scope 6:10
7 I Remember Bill Evans 8:26
SERVE AND VOLLEY (22:32)
8 a. The Arrival 5:15
9 b. Baselines and Backhands 4:49
10 c. The Sweet Spot 4:49
11 d. Passing Shots 3:19
12 e. The Tiebreaker 4:15
Performers:
BOB SNEIDER - guitar
PAUL HOFMANN - piano
Production Info:
Produced by Bob Sneider & Paul Hofmann
Recorded Aug 18-19, 2008 at
Red Rock Recording, Saylorsburg PA
Engineered by Kent Heckman
Cover photo by David Lee
Cover design by John Bishop
Reviews of Serve and Volley
JazzTimes (Bill Milkowski)
These intimate duos mark the third such encounter between guitarist Bob Sneider and pianist Paul Hofmann, both faculty members at the Eastman School of Music. They exhibit an easy rapport on the jaunty opener, "Warm Welcome," a riff on "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" that culminates in some sparkling exchanges and bristling unison lines. They sett ...
