Biography
Guitarist/composer/educator Bob Sneider is currently the Jazz Guitar teacher at the world-renowned Eastman School of Music. Sneider performs a multi-faceted role at Eastman as Instructor of Jazz Guitar at the Eastman's Community Education Division and Jazz & Contemporary Media Department.
Before joining the Eastman faculty in 1997, Bob Sneider won Downbeat's 1989 "Outstanding Performance in High School Jazz" award; an award he duplicated at the collegiate level in 1993. Sneider toured with two-time Grammy Award Winner Chuck Mangione for four years.
Other notable performers with whom Sneider has performed include: Nat Adderley, Don Menza, Nick Brignola, Houston Person, Etta Jones, Nnenna Freelon, Carolyn Leonhart, Lou Donaldson, Stanley Turrentine, Fred Wesley, Gene Ludwig, Steve Gadd, Gerry Niewood, Ralph Lalama, Roy McCurdy, Freddie Cole, Jon Faddis, Keeter Betts and frequent appearances with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Pops(guitar/banjo). Bob has also toured with his brother John, who plays on several of the cuts on Bob's debut "Introducing Bob Sneider." Recently, John released his debut CD on Doubletime Jazz "Panorama", featuring brother Bob, Chris Potter, Larry Goldings, John Hart, Dave Berkman, Andy Watson, Dwayne Burno and Dave Gibson.
In 1998, the brothers Sneider were commissioned to compose small group pieces and perform a concert (Allendale-Columbia School) by The Commission Project. The fruitful endeavor yielded John's title track "Panorama" and Bob's "Out of the Darkness."
In addition, Sneider is a graduate of the University of Rochester (B.A. '93) where he studied with Ramon Ricker, Bill Dobbins and Fred Sturm. Growing up in Brockton, MA, Sneider's mentor and teacher was Chet Kruley a veteran of the Fletcher Henderson, Jimmie Lunceford and Nat Pierce bands. As a guest clinician/artist Sneider has performed with numerous high school and college jazz ensembles. Sneider also teaches at the Birch Creek Music Festival, the Eastman Summer High School Jazz Studies and the Tri-tone Jazz Fantasy Camp(adults).