The Eastman School of Music's guitarist extraordinaire Bob Sneider has been a busy man lately, co-headlining two new albums this month.

Sneider and Hofmann have played together enough to reach a level of musical symbiosis recalling the classic duo of Bill Evans and Jim Hall. On Escapade they cover a range of compositions from Hofmann's five-part tone-poem-like "Touching the Sky" to Sneider's wild ride on "Roller Coaster." Both contribute excellent compositions, but they also shine on a Nat King Cole Trio medley and Rodgers and Hart's "My Funny Valentine." Their most ecstatic performance is on "Mañana Time," a Calypso gem by the late bassist Bob Stata. (Both albums are dedicated to Stata).

— Ed Trefzger
© Rochester City, March 2006