ROCKTRON
Cynthia Sayer, the celebrated 4-string banjo player, vocalist, and longtime GHS Strings endorser has confirmed the publication of her new book The Swinging Solos of Elmer Snowden, The Rediscovered Jazz Age Banjo Star, for intermediate, advanced, and professional level players of guitar, mandolin, and banjo.
The book has garnered rave reviews from the likes of NEA Heritage Award mandolinist Andy Statman, 2021 Steve Martin Banjo Prize winning banjoist Don Vappie, and renowned jazz guitarists Howard Alden and James Chirillo.
The book contains Sayer’s transcriptions of the jazz solos from Snowden’s album Harlem Banjo!, all written both in standard C tuning and in the G tuning Snowden used. The book also includes historical info & photos of the formidable Jazz Age performer and bandleader.
Inspiration for the book came to Sayer decades ago when a colleague first introduced her to Snowden’s music.“ At the time I had no way of knowing that this album would change the direction of my life,” says Sayer, “but I knew without a doubt that I wanted to play banjo as the true jazz instrument Snowden showed me it could be.”
AllFrets Magazine says of Sayer’s project, “The Swinging Solos of Elmer Snowden provides not only a documentation of a singular and influential artist’s definitive work, but a basis for replication and growth for any musician who seriously approaches this true labor of love.”
The Swinging Solos of Elmer Snowden is available on Cynthia Sayer’s website: http://www.cynthiasayer.com/
Most everyone has heard the adage: Good things come in small packages. In the case of Cynthia Sayers new 62 page book, The Swinging Solos Of Elmer Snowden, this adage is not merely true but an understatement. Sayer’s transcription of Snowden’s jazz solos from his album Harlem Banjo is an incredibly valuable contribution and gift to music history and the world of jazz music. It is a treasure trove of a book and clearly a labor of love. I thank you Cynthia Sayer for spreading the love!