Jim Snidero’s latest release marks his 40 years of recording as a bandleader with a sax-bass-and drums tribute to Charlie Parker. Five tracks are Parker originals and the four standards are closely associated with the modernist pioneer. But Snidero’s syncopated phrasing and harmonically devious lines bear a personal stamp. And with Peter Washington and Joe Farnsworth delivering solid, uncluttered support, the set is a good showcase for the Snidero alto sax.

The album opens with Parker’s odd-shaped 12-bar blues ‘Bird Feathers’ and continues with bass and sax stating the theme of ‘Scrapple from the Apple’ in unison – both songs are played at a medium tempo and end with either solos for the rhythm section or fours. ‘These Foolish Things’ comes next, played as a ballad with subtle vibrato and fluent runs, ‘The Nearness of You’ has a similar shape and ‘Lover Man’, unaccompanied, ends the set.

Elsewhere, the tempos of ‘Ornithology’ and ‘Confirmation’ are medium up and ‘Charlie’s Wig’ and the standard ‘Embraceable You’ nicely in the pocket. Overall, Snidero’s clarity of line and focussed tone stand out, but the rhythm section needs a bit more oomph to grip.