In his CD liner notes Bob Blumenthal mentions the successful guitar/piano match ups of Bill Evans and Jim Hall, and Benny Green and Russell Malone, among the handful able to make the best of a challenging situation. Guitarists and pianists, it seems, have never had an easy time coexisting and connecting within close quarters.

Pianist Paul Hofmann and guitarist Bob Sneider, both of whom are on the faculty at The Eastman School of Music, sound as if they were meant to play together. In addition to being excellent soloists and accompanists, they are also both Jazz composers deserving of attention. But the central key to the achievement of Interconnection is their unusual ability to realize seamless, unified execution.

When on the B section of Hofmann’s “Jazz Suite for Guitar and Piano” the two state the elongated melody—sometimes in unison, at other points in harmony—the timbre between the two is so compatible it sounds as if a single instrument had been expertly overdubbed. And a word to you guitar players: Bob Sneider is someone definitely worth checking out. His short unaccompanied intro to “Azure Dreams” is everything beautiful Jazz guitar should encompass, and his comping behind Hofmann—at times utilizing the brighter tones close to his instrument’s bridge, at others interjecting walking bass lines—is a lesson unto itself. As for the pianist, he returns the favor whether it be with Tristano-like connecting lines, or with quietly emphatic chord backing.

A quick mention about the tunes. The original songs, some of which combine subtle elements of Latin with complex Bop melodies, are enough to recommend the disc. But there is also the authentic treatment of “Mood Indigo,” as well as the slightly riotous romp they make of the Gershwins’ “Bidin’ My Time.” The upshot is a recording of high artistic standards no matter what one’s personal prejudice or criteria might happen to be. This is one of the best CDs sent to me by this magazine, and I suggest you do tell a friend.

— Charles Winokoor
© 2005 Cadence