SnapDragon is back! After a year's hiatus while bassist Carl Stutevoss recovered from a brain aneurysm, we are excited that he is back and as good as ever! In May, the band rehearsed for the first time since that terrible day, and it was all smiles to hear everything come together again. It will be a blast to kick things off again this summer!

SnapDragon's 2008 debut CD, "Stealing a Moment", features ten original contemporary jazz songs that evoke comparisons from Joe Sample to Weather Report. Two tracks feature the guitar wizardry of guest artist Richard Smith. The title track of the CD broke the Top 100 in U.S. radio airplay (Mediabase Smooth Adult Contemporary chart). One of the album's songs, "Black Onyx," was a featured Daily Download by the All About Jazz website, and became one of the site's most downloaded tracks. EchoSmoothJazz.com chose "Stealing a Moment" as it's featured CD for April 2008.

Sam Mims is SnapDragon's music director and keyboardist, Carl Stutevoss plays bass, and Steve Glaeser is on drums. (Former band member Danny Fisk played sax on "Stealing a Moment.")

Mims comes from a background of R&B, rock, and contemporary jazz. He worked for years as Richard Elliot's keyboardist, touring and recording several records that went to the #1 spot in radio airplay (Radio & Records) and in record sales (Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart). He has appeared on BET on Jazz with Ramsey Lewis, and on Nashville Now, and has shared the stage with Spyro Gyra, Bobby Caldwell, the Rippingtons, David Benoit, Larry Carlton, and many others. Steve Glaeser comes from a more traditional jazz background; he has played drums with jazz giants Clark Terry, Monte Alexander, and others. Add to the mix Carl Stutevoss's unique bass lines - often melodic and chordal - and you've got a recipe for jazz that falls in an interesting area somewhere between traditional and smooth jazz. SnapDragon tunes have "hummable" melodies and strong hooks, like a good pop tune, with a unique jazz flavor. In the words of Sharon Kay (General Manager, WFSK Radio in Nashville), "Glad to hear something fresh these days. SnapDragon brings it on!"

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