SNAG

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Snag are currently on long service leave

Stephen Magnusson (Melbourne, Australia) – guitar

Julien Wilson (Melbourne, Australia) – tenor saxophone

Björn Meyer (Stockholm, Sweden) – basses

Sergio Beresovsky (Bahia Blanca, Argentina) – drums

SNAG is an international band with members from around the world. The music is an eclectic blend of jazz, South American rhythms and folk themes with popular western music influences. Their original compositions reflect a broad diversity, from thematic based Ornette Coleman-type tunes to Nordic influenced mood pieces. SNAG’s debut CD, Hey, Guess What?, recorded July ‘97 in Switzerland and officially launched at Moods Jazz Club (Zurich) June ‘98, is available in Australia on Jazzhead Records.
Their follow up album, heaps [link here] was recorded in ’98 and released in ’99. They toured Europe every summer between 1997 to 2001 and toured Australia in 1999 & 2001, culminating in a recording at the ABC Studio’s in Melbourne that remains unreleased, and an unofficially released album recorded live at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival.

CD REVIEWS

“Guitarist, Stephen Magnusson, a significant voice in Melbourne’s contemporary jazz scene. . .rides the grooves smartly, shaping lines that twist and leap when you least expect them to . . . and plays dreamy, sighing solos that invite time to stand still. There are echoes of Joe Lovano’s partnership with John Scofield in the way the tenor and guitar combine in the ensembles and spur each other on in their solos. The music ranges from ethereal reflection to vigorous interaction and the players do it all convincingly.”
Adrian Jackson, THE AGE, 1 Jan 98

“Award winning saxophonist Julien Wilson, at turns lithe and tempestuous, combines well with the wonderfully fluid electric guitar of Stephen Magnusson. Their European bandmates interact with a high level of interplay and provide very strong rhythmic support. SNAG is a group very much deserving a wider recognition.” Gerry Koster, PBS FM, March ‘98

“OVER THE RAINBOW Three continents, even more musical styles and yet harmonious: . . .Jazz is an international music form and the quartet SNAG proves it . . . Categories like Jazz, Rock, or others do not do justice to their music. . . . the musical concepts of Ornette Coleman are as present as those of pop music icon Björk, as well as South American rhythms and a homage to master bassist Charles Mingus. It is a tribute to SNAG that this ride across the musical rainbow . . . . . . actually results in forming a musical identity. Whoever had the chance to hear SNAG live, as I did recently at “Moods” in Zurich, will listen to the CD with different ears. The feeling of joyful abandon and excitement coming from the stage during the live concert is replaced by a controlled coolness on the studio recording. But whether cool or hot the moods are what count. And they are intensive indeed”.
Peter Burli, TAGE ANZIEGER (Zurich), 1 July 98 (Translated from German)