James J. Snidero (born May 29, 1958, in Redwood City, California, United States)[1] is an American jazz saxophonist.
[2] Snidero grew up in the Washington, D.C., area (Camp Springs, MD), studying with Jim Murphy, Ron Diehl, Tim Eyerman and Phil Woods, then attended the University of North Texas and performed in the One O'clock Lab band.
In 1984 he formed his own quintet and recorded and performed with sidemen that includes trumpeters Brian Lynch, Tom Harrell (from 1989 to 1992), and Tim Hagans (from 1992 to 1995); the pianists Benny Green (from 1987 to 1991), and Mulgrew Miller (in 1991); the double bass players Peter Washington and Dennis Irwin; and the drummers Billy Hart (from 1984 to 1986, and again in 1989), Louis Hayes (in 1990), Gene Jackson (in 1993), and Adam Nussbaum (from 1996).
In 2007, Snidero was signed with the Highnote/Savant label, and has recorded over 15 leader dates with sidemen that include Dave Douglas, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Orrin Evans, Jeremy Pelt, Linda May Han Oh, Andy LaVerne, Paul Bollenback, Rudy Royston, Peter Washington and Joe Farnsworth.
Snidero was awarded two National Endowment for the Arts grants, including one recording with Dave Holland and Jack Dejohnette (1987), and has placed in both Downbeat Magazine's critics and readers polls.