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Wikipedia / David Schnitter

David Schnitter (born March 19, 1948, in Newark, New Jersey) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist most known for his tenure with Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers from 1974-1979.

Born in Newark, New Jersey Schnitter played clarinet as a youth before switching to tenor sax at age 15. He studied with Joseph Allard before earning a BA at New Jersey State University. After moving to New York City he played with Ted Dunbar before becoming a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers from 1974 to 1979 which has been his most notable association. Schnitter brought back the traditional Hard bop saxophone style influenced by Dexter Gordon and Sonny Stitt back to the Jazz Messengers after a period of mostly Modal jazz saxophone. Schnitter eventually played with his influence Sonny Stitt on the album In Walked Sonny when Stitt recorded with Art Blakey. While still a Jazz Messenger Schnitter also recorded as a band leader for Muse Records from 1976 to 1981. After leaving the Jazz Messengers Schnitter played with Freddie Hubbard from 1979 to 1981 and also worked with Frank Foster, Charles Earland and Groove Holmes. A move to Spain in 1981 led to Schnitter maintaining a lower profile and upon returning to New York in 1990 he has mostly focused on teaching. He has been on faculty at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music since 1994. In the 2000s Schnitter has performed more regularly at Smalls Jazz Club and Fat Cat in Manhattan as well as touring Europe.

Discography

  • Invitation (Muse, 1976)

  • Goliath (Muse, 1977)

  • Thundering (Muse, 1978)

  • Glowing (Muse, 1981)

  • Sketch (Omix, 2004)

  • The Spirit of Things (CIMP, 2008)

  • Nursery Rhymes for the 21st Century (Cimp, 2010)

  • Live at Smalls (Smalls Live, 2011)

  • Two For The Road (Fresh Sound Records, 2019 [2023])

With Art Blakey

With Richard "Groove" Holmes

With Johnny Lytle

With Red Rodney

References