Young artists such as Sequoia REDWOOD Snyder’s quartet, who performed recently at the Kennedy Center’s Studio K Club, highlight the strong future of jazz.The group performed original compositions by REDWOOD that had traces of late ’60s to ’70s jazz from Herbie Hancock’s Blue Note era. Then, REDWOOD performed “Dark Prince,” by one of her favorite pianists and composers, the late Geri Allen, a Howard University alumna. Snyder, who played various keyboards, was accompanied by drummer Caleb Robinson, electric and double bassist Jeremiah Edwards, and guitarist Hugh Downs. The quartet’s age range is 23 to 28.
The quartet’s chemistry and synchronicity were clear as they paid close attention to REDWOOD, their leader, for queues on places to improvise within their selections.
Sequoia REDWOOD Snyder on keyboards, guitarist Hugh Downs, electric/double bassist Jeremiah Edwards and drummer Caleb Robinson at the Kennedy Center’s Studio K Club on Feb. 7 (Brenda C. Siler/The Washington Informer)“This was our first time playing as a band,” said REDWOOD, a Duke Ellington School of the Arts graduate. “I met Jeremiah around the DMV playing in jam sessions, and I met Caleb at Michigan State University, where we went to school.”REDWOOD has performed with respected jazz leaders, including double bassist and educator Rodney Whitaker and pianist and composer Cory Henry. She has also worked with two National Endowments for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Masters: vocalist and educator Dee Dee Bridgewater and pianist and composer Kenny Barron. Jason Moran, Kennedy Center Jazz artist-in-residence, has mentored REDWOOD during her phenomenal rise. Not bad for someone who picked up the piano later in childhood.“She started as a vocal major at Ellington but decided she wanted to change to piano. She auditioned and started playing piano in 10th grade,” said her father Deron Synder.
Edwards grew up in the DMV and started playing the bass and jazz at age 8. He studied with saxophonist and educator Paul Carr, the founder, president, and chairman of the Jazz Academy of Music, Inc. (JAM). Carr heads the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, scheduled this year from Feb. 14-16 in Bethesda, Maryland. Downs also attended Michigan State University. His most significant influence was guitarist Russell Malone, who performed as a trio with NEA Jazz Master bassist Ron Carter and pianist Donald Vega and died last year while on tour with the group.Individually, these musicians in the quartet are exceptional. Their talent and visibility are set to skyrocket. REDWOOD has demonstrated her knack for selecting the right band members who can bring her vision to life. While it was the first time for this current quartet with REDWOOD, the warm reception at the Studio K Club suggests they may perform together again. Regardless of where REDWOOD’s journey goes, her family fully supports this young woman’s musical journey. She was gracious and gave the audience many “thank yous” at the end of the 90-minute set.
“We try to stay in the moment, keep her encouraged, and be thankful for what’s happening,” shared Snyder, REDWOOD’s father. “Sometimes artists can feel pressure. You try to get the character right, and you see what happens. God gets the credit.” Learn more about REDWOOD and her social media sites on redwoodsounds.com.
Source: Washington Informer
