Tim Berne Snakeoil (USA)

TIM BERNE (alto saxophone)
OSCAR NORIEGA (clarinet and bass clarinet)
MATT MITCHELL (piano, electronics)
CHES SMITH (drums)
RYAN FERREIRA (acoustic and electric guitar)

 

A very special energy emanates from the ensembles led by Tim Berne. Snakeoil, started in 2011 by the saxophonist in a search for unusual instrumentation, brings together a set of young musicians chosen according to Berne’s rule in recruiting “the kind of people who wouldn’t be the first choice for something”, “who don’t obey orders very well, or don’t just do the obvious thing”, he explained to the magazine Jazz Times. Since their debut for ECM , the Snakeoil quartet has become one of the most celebrated ensembles in jazz today – expanding to a quintet with the addition of guitarist Ryan Ferreira – an explosive meeting of indomitable souls.