Inside the Making of Snarky Puppy's Grammy-Winning Album: Empire Central

This is how 19 instrumentalists learned, rehearsed, and arranged 16 brand new songs in 5 days, then recorded them live in front of a studio audience.
Snarky Puppy's Empire Central won the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.
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Snarky Puppy is:
Bob Lanzetti - Electric guitar
Mark Lettieri - Electric guitar
Chris McQueen - Electric guitar
Justin Stanton - Fender Rhodes Mark 8 and Yamaha CP70 electric piano (solo)
Bobby Sparks - Hammond B3 organ and ARP String Ensemble
Bill Laurance - Hohner D6 Clavinet
Shaun Martin - Korg Kronos
Zach Brock - Violin
Mike “Maz” Maher - Trumpet
Jay Jennings - Trumpet
Chris Bullock - Tenor sax, flute, bass clarinet, soprano sax
Bob Reynolds - Tenor sax, soprano sax
Michael League - Electric bass, key bass
Nate Werth - Percussion
Keita Ogawa - Percussion
Marcelo Woloski - Percussion
Jason “JT” Thomas - Drum set
Larnell Lewis - Drum set
Jamison Ross - Drum set
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Practice Book ► bit.ly/saxpower...
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Bob Reynolds is a 3x GRAMMY® Award-winning saxophonist with Snarky Puppy. He's toured with John Mayer, Larry Carlton, and many others and released 12 solo albums-4 of which reached the Top 10 in Billboard's Jazz Charts. A pioneering educator, Bob has coached thousands of musicians since 2010 through his innovative Virtual Studio at bobsvirtualstud.... He is a D'Addario Woodwinds artist, KZbinr, and surfer. He lives with his wife and kids in Los Angeles, CA.
“Bob is one hell of a saxophonist! His sound is rich and his execution is effortless.”
Michael Brecker
“…Reynolds flexes an assured hand with melding hip-swiveling jazz and funk as a bandleader.”
LA TIMES
“Some of the freshest, most compelling, and most soulful music I have heard recently. Bob Reynolds is an amazing musician, with something very exciting and original to say.”
Joshua Redman
#snarkypuppy #empirecentral

[@bobreynolds]

Looking for an efficient framework for practicing jazz? Download my 7T Practice Pyramid (FREE) jazzpracticepyramid.com

[@benderbi]

All of that and he manages to get to his son's game. Bravo 👏🏼

[@bobreynolds]

Priorities. 👍

[@natestein5988]

​@@bobreynoldsThat's awesome that you were able to support your son in that way.

[@uubuuh]

the least he could do, kid saved his life 1:58 😉

[@oscargill423]

The way the video goes from like 23 minutes of rehearsal chaos and exciting stress to son's baseball game is probably one of the most beautiful and subtly cathartic endings to a music vlog (or vlog in general) I've ever seen.

[@devinebass]

LOVED this, Bob!

[@bobreynolds]

Thanks, Scott

[@jas_bataille]

So basically Snarky Puppy took the idea of a firs take being fresh to the maximum of human abilities : by making the musicians learn the music as fast as possible it remains as fresh and spontaneous as possible. Yet, there is no sight-reading. That's beyond brilliant.

[@bobreynolds]

One of the top questions we get is "How do you guys learn all that music?" Here's how... :)

[@Joe-zk7ps]

You all are really amazing at finding that chemistry when the lights turn on. You and the rest of the band played some amazing and memorable stuff on this album. Thank you. I know you all have lives outside of this we never see, and the fact you all bring so much to these performances is just incredible.

[@JosueMartinez-wd3yu]

WOW, I have seen videos like these before and I am amazed by how talented people HAVE to memorize materials. Don't get me wrong, its good to memorize your parts, BUT, I wonder if there is something much efficient way. Like recording each part (like a studio booth ) and exporting those parts in music sheet. I am assuming that parts are recorded individually and probably given to each member as part of their learning process🤔. Would be great if in the IT field, music notation companies had the ability to record audio into notation. I think Sibelius and/or Finale has something like that but not sure how reliable it is. Either way, its crazy to see how much one can put in their head in such amount of time. 🤯. I am sure you guys already knew about this but wonder why when trying to learn parts that are recorded via Logic Pro, yall don't use the notation part since Logic converts the midi information into notation. Just curious.

[@upabovemusic]

Great video Bob. Thanks for the great work and effort you put into this. Greetings from Denmark.

[@BenGreen1980]

This answered that question while also not answering it at all. :D

[@scottstanley4378]

This is what I've been the most interested in lately, especially when watching guest musicians come up and play with Cory Wong's band. Thank you for the insight, Bob. You guys work hard out there. Is your work life always this hectic?!

[@FoolishFrankie]

The crazy part is in all of this chaos you're filming everything too!! Incredible video, thanks so much for sharing with us!

[@TheSevenEighths]

Dang. This is so inspiring. It's not just about how virtuous you guys are but the miracle you do with (only) 24 hours a day. It's more about the dedication, professionalism and passion behind the scenes than anything else. Thank you!

[@ScottPaddock]

That’s an absolutely insane schedule especially with no written parts and such complex music. Crazy!!! Congrats on the Grammy. Well deserved for you and Snarky crew.

[@Crobcar]

I mean if that doesn't get you one, what the hell does??

[@felipemagalhaes9004]

16 new songs in 5 days it's crazy, I hear this album every single day, I love you guys

[@drewb5775]

I would watch an edit of this that is twice as long. Cheers Bob

[@rejerh8731]

Seconded!

[@brandonlbartlett]

Third-ed?

[@tylerheintzen722]

Thanks for stopping by UNF broski! We loved having you

[@moritzmetzler9377]

Absolutely crazy that you can learn and memorize all of that music in such a short period of time. It’s also unbelievable to me, that you can play all day without your embouchure breaking down at some point. Well done, I love the record!

[@wiebemartens1030]

their embouchure must hurt indeed. My lips hurt from watching this vlog

[@literallyfiction]

As a producer, the whole time I was thinking, damn this is sooo expensive haha Thanks for sharing, Bob, that’s very generous.

[@Gramps935]

I hope they make money because they are putting in so much effort and cash to make this thing.

[@snails9505]

Yep I wondered if Elon Musk was aboard or something. Amazing team effort though.

[@albertomojica2295]

I am still procesing and thinking about All the work and discipline that a musician should have to be there. Amazing, and thank for share with us, This is the real use of the social media, you are real influencers!!!!

[@chumbo]

Your musical skills are obviously unquestionable but I must say, I'm also always impressed at how good you are at doing these videos! I love the fast edits, just giving the bare essential so as not to make it too long but yet get the whole story. Congrats! 😉

[@bobreynolds]

Thank you. That was my goal. 🙏

[@ChrisBuonoGuitar]

The struggle is ALWAYS real. Well done, brothas.

[@koho]

Hey all. Just a quick note to SP (and Bob Reynolds) fans - if you can, go to the GroundUp Music Fest next year! I went for the first time this year, and it was a blast. Not only great music, but it has a small-festival atmosphere, elbow-to-elbow with your musical heroes who are in the audience with you watching the other bands. I had the great pleasure of meeting Bob (I'm the guy at the hot dog stand) and Mark Lettieri, both super nice, gracious, and fun to talk to. (Bob - your workshop was also terrific; I'm a terrible amateur musician, but still got quite a lot out of it (Monk triads over a Rosanna Purdy shuffle!)) It really exemplified what a great community this is.

[@bobreynolds]

So glad to hear it! Thank you, and thanks again for the hot dog 🤙

[@koho]

Been waiting for this one. Congratulations to you, Bob, and all the Pups on the Grammy, well deserved! The musicianship is of course impossibly stellar. I also can't wrap my head around how such great sound can be engineered in that environment.

[@bobreynolds]

Nic Hard (recording engineer) and Mike Harrisson (live sound engineer) are a couple of audio wizards.

[@MorganWallaceMusic]

Musicians of y'all's caliber singing Part Of Your World... ❤️❤️❤️

[@JohnDwyer123]

Highest respect to all of you.

[@diyonfonseka3435]

2:00 when the child says "Dada ... a car's going to bump into you" that scared me bc that's exactly how Bernard Wright passed away... RIP Bernard

[@cejpk]

Bob Reynolds, we love and appreciate you!

[@kapers5772]

We all play music but man, there are levels to this, what you do and how you do it is absoloutely crazy. Keep making sick music

[@josephkarl2061]

5:59 The audience all singing your solo is a sign you're onto a great thing 👌

[@gil-evens]

Love the part starting from 14:20 when they all start to exchange ideas, great insights into the rehearsing process

[@ryangood4595]

Mark L's hair really is super powerful

[@bobreynolds]

☺️

[@okcontent149]

my mom brought me to a steely dan concert last year, and i got so much more excited when i found out snarky puppy was opening. that concert was so sweet

[@florSaxinetti]

It is the most organized music rehearsal I have ever seen.

[@emilseier2512]

This is one of the most inspiring things i have ever watched!

[@bobreynolds]

🙏

[@Orlando-wn4uc]

"Not having greens" basically describes my childhood growing up in Texas! Such incredible musicians! Congratulations on the Grammy. I'm always amazed (and humbled) that you take the time to capture and share such marvelous moments. It's truly inspiring. Thank you, Bob!

[@bobreynolds]

🙏 thanks, Orlando

[@meatmotorendurance]

The pressure of being the ONE GUY who doesn't have the part down would be a huge motivator, I'd assume. (I also bet I-75 is stoked to have its first album named after itself.)

[@thetomster7625]

man, Bob: thanks for this and thanks again for your crazy great solos on the album^^

[@grene1955]

I'm a musician, and I can't believe the level you guys operate at!!! If someone had told me this was possible I would not have believed it!

[@derekauth157]

Not to mention the fact you play in Snarky Puppy *AND* you’re a loving father of young kids…well done, dad, well done

[@onionsaredisgusting]

I legit watch this on a weekly basis. Y’all are my personal avengers ❤

[@chrisgraham7930]

Absolute, 100% pure focus from every single player. There are no shortcuts to executing at this level. This is so inspiring.

[@Bashanvibe]

Thanks for sharing the journey!!! This beautiful to see a room full of geniuses without the ego figuring it out together!!!! How it’s supposed to be!!!

[@imadlebiar1546]

Been waiting for this video since I heard we have a new album coming! Proud to be a fan!

[@pabezem]

geez, that is a packed schedule.. incredible profesionals, Bob you really are a legend!! Sax hero, no doubt!

[@johnduxiehughes]

This is the highest level of musicianship. It’s just mind blowing how talented every member is. Inspiring commitment Bob. Oh, and your solo on Pineapple is perfection 🎷

[@gentnovic3540]

Man, this is so unreal, thank you so much for those beautiful insights! It‘s simply mindboggling how you guys pull these things off! And to think that you even sneak moments in to make these video snippets within a schedule where shouldn‘t be any time. Fantastic vlog you did there, really appreciate it. Me and my girlfriend were lucky to see you in Hamburg in October. We had the most incredible time and I was surprised you played the Lingus solo. That was amazing. Thanks for all your effort and congrats to the Grammy!

[@thomasweinmann5375]

Don´t stop doing this, Bob: letting us take part in what so many of us aspire to do- awesome!! Thank you for sharing.

[@paujorbabonastre2375]

Bob! Thank you so much for this! The wait was worth it. So emotional to revive those crazy and incredible weeks at Deep Ellum. Thank you and everyone that made that happen! And congrats for the Grammy❤️ You guys deserve it!

[@bobreynolds]

Thank you, Pau 🙏 was great to meet and hang with you there.

[@spencermoody791]

Hi Bob! This whole process is amazing. I don’t know if you remember but you played with me last May when you came out the Mountain View (I was in jazz 2 at the time). I wanted to let you know how cool it was to be able to play alongside you and even though you were light years ahead of me, it was still a great learning opportunity!

[@tito_pane]

Thank you guys for coming together as a band, you mean a lot.

[@LucaPosillicoMusic]

Crazy life you have, I hope this will be me one day. Keep it up you guys are insane!

[@Tjosenn]

Only Snarky Puppy can do this, it's actually a miracle that this is possible

[@teddykgb9971]

Doing all this AND setting up your phone to film yourself entering hotel rooms? That's next level 👍👍👍

[@xxphactor]

I love hearing the stripped down pieces of my fav songs on the album.

[@gamzer]

This video captures the hard work that goes into a show/recording like nothing I have ever seen. People only see what happens on the night but this is the real work...and this is next level of work and cramming

[@0120shrey]

Pure gold, this. Being in a related field, I’ve seen what goes behind the scenes (albeit at a much smaller scale) and it’s absolutely insane how all of you pull this off! The new album sounds amazing, congratulations to all of you! Eagerly waiting for Snarky Puppy to come to India!

[@czarpaul01]

This was very fascinating. I truly don’t understand how you guys pull this stuff together so quickly, yet sound like you’ve been working the tunes for months. Been playing for 40 years, and I have a huge amount of respect for what you guys accomplish.

[@TheSlandis]

Wow! So much trust that everyone gets their parts. This is crazy!

[@cosmokramer9198]

Damn that rehearsal clip of Portal was so rad! Thanks so much for sharing Bob! This kind of stuff is a music nerds dream!!

[@bobreynolds]

It took me weeks to decide what of the 2 hour horn sectional footage to keep. ☺️ Thank you

[@romulan1006]

Thank you for making this. I'm exhausted from just looking at it. I just got the album and so far I love it. Long live Snarky Puppy!

[@bobblues1158]

I am so glad to see/hear that excellence still prevails in our music bubble. I am 77 and still have the discipline. But I will not travel anymore.

[@ianwhatmough150]

I'm looking forward to finally seeing Snarky Puppy live this June in Toronto. I can't wait!

[@juniorz1986]

Bob, this is truly beautiful. I had a wonderful time at the Empire Central concert in Berlin last October. I was genuinely touched by seeing both you and Michael at the merch booth right after the concert, but only managed to exchange a few words with him. Thanks for sharing.

[@richlabedz3978]

Thanks Bob, this is awesome! As a teacher it’s fantastic to see how hard you guys are working to make this happen - great message for aspiring young musicians!

[@24acresofparadise]

Wow! shows how much work goes into the production. No wonder it sounds great!

[@geoffforduk]

Man!!!!!!! I had a super busy and stressful work day today and thought I'd relax and catchup with some YT. Feel waaaay more stressed now after watching that hahaha. Seriously though, amazing, I don't know how you guys can pull off that sort of intensity, especially on not enough sleep. Makes me love and appreciate Snarky all the more. Kudos!

[@Docdoolit]

It was a great experience to be there. We were there for the night of Bernard Wright's recording (RIP). This is inspiring me to push myself musically!

[@rickgraham786]

Excellent!

[@MrChuck365]

Grew up on new jazz of the day in the 1950's, 60's, 70's and 80's. Been wondering where the new jazz has been hiding. Wondering no more. You've helped me get back on track.

[@bobreynolds]

Heck yeah! Love to hear that, Chuck

[@MrChuck365]

Yeah! Modern Jazz 2023. You dun it.

[@rogernobbs6559]

Wow! Wow! Wow! The takeaway is that the smoother and easier you guys make it sound, the harder you work! Not since the Earth, Wind & Fire horns have I heard anything quite so amazing. Add in the rest of the band and it just gets more and more incredible. What’s more, when the finished videos appear on KZbin, you all seem to be enjoying yourselves so much without any of the obvious stress that this video shows goes into learning and rehearsing. The Grammy is long overdue in an age when so many musicians are simply reinventing stuff from the past. You are a truly original band. Keep on keepin’ on! Oh, and come back to London soon. ❤

[@johnadesola6992]

You mean youve been keeping this gold mine content for over a year!! 😅 Awesome insight into the behind the scenes and thanks for sharing!! It’s also good to see you return back to father duties at the end 😊

[@williammjs]

Congratulations for such an amazing journey through bringing what music can delivers us at its best!

[@GavinLangOfficial]

Each successive breaks incredible new and exciting ground. And I love the fact that you don't spend 5 months, but rather 5 days making a record, and that you expose yourself to the live recording, understanding how important that vibe is. I have to say that the dedication and musicianship shows in every track on Empire Central. It's truly epic. Nice one Bob, thanks for sharing your experience of the whole thing... and for getting home to your son's game. P.s. I'm not at all surprised about your Grammy win... well deserved.

[@unclebobrobinson9503]

I have been a Snarky Puppy fan for a lone time. I have seen you guys on both coasts and several in between. Love the music. Love the guys. The Grammy was much deserved. Congratulations. Keep it up! ❤

[@ericwilhelm2941]

This amazing.Ya'll are INSIDE the Music! No paper LOL no nothing ....all by ear?? I think this is how it should be , really. Be inside the Music. Great Documentary , Bob!!!

[@sergeisanych118]

Amazing!Bob,unbelievable!😯🤝💪🏻🙏

[@andikerl2486]

Maximum respect!

[@pocabromaproduccions2]

OMG Bob, this video is amazing! The filming, the editing and the story telling are just on point. I know the amount of work that this takes, and it's crazy that you found the time to do it. Congrats!

[@bobreynolds]

Thank you, Jep! I know you do know ;) and thank YOU for your brilliant work making us look so good!

[@CraigGood]

If it looks easy it was difficult, and vice versa. Thanks so much for this glimpse behind the curtain. You guys are amazing.

[@lucascruz1083]

Thanks Bob

[@larrydavis1532]

Hey Bob, I'm a jazz student at UNT from DFW and this is really inspiring and cool to see happen in my hometown. Thanks!

[@bradlucid]

Thank you for this Bob! Your vlog always shows my all-time favourite band from such a beautiful and 'human' angle. These videos are just DRIPPING with so much inspiration and motivation!! Much Love!💓

[@Sarkamler]

Monumental work! Thank y’all for amazing music…. Lot’s of ❤❤❤❤and respect!

[@MichaelNatrin]

Fantastic BTS. Congratulations 🎉🎉

[@earthmike532]

great album. great story.

[@patricknotley6183]

Great video, All that devotion & effort over such a short time, to produce a brilliant album. Terrific solo on "Bet" Congratulations.

[@bobreynolds]

Thanks!

[@kyletwebster]

Awesome, Bob!

[@edenthedrummer]

Awesome video, amazing experience. Thank you for sharing!

[@thoughtsforthebuilders]

awesome seeing those UNF students vibing with you (: we got room for ya up at Western Washington Uni if you ever find yourself heading towards Seattle or Vancouver BC (;

[@sidneiramalho]

Bob great video. Thanks for sharing such an awesome video. I can't even imagine the stress to learn 16 song in short period of time, on top of that, you recorded so we could see what was happening. I'm listening the album now and the behind the scenes make a richer experience all together. Well done!

[@philfichtinger3009]

the way you guys have been writing and then MIXING these beauties gives me goosebumps and eargasms over and over. such a treat, thank you very much!

[@neegle5051]

Wow… the levels to this!!! I like how everyone has their Macs and learning also by use of the sessions… Keep up the good work👊🏾🔥🔥

[@rc2257]

Holy shhh***** Incredible! Thanks for this peek into the process. Wow. Lesser musicians, lesser human beings could never pull it off, let alone so beautifully.

[@mv11000]

This is really great, thanks for uploading! It's so mind-blowing that you can learn these intricate songs in such a short time, incredible. I'm just speechless.

[@terriprecha2526]

Thanks for behind the scenes view. The puppies nailed it.... Again. You sure know how to get 'value for time' !!!! ❤

[@guidocusani5715]

Bob, you're great❤

[@JosiahSoren]

this is insanity omg

[@jordantaylorreed]

As soon as I see a new Snarky Puppy single, I get stoked for one of these videos from you. Thanks, Bob! 🎷🎷

[@faithfulduru5153]

Thank you for this, Bob

[@joecardillo3730]

This is so insane on so many levels! So good! Thanks for sharing your talent, passion and work ethic with the world!

[@danielpflug]

This is so cool, thanks for sharing this Bob!!

[@JulianFernandez]

thanks for sharing these, Bob!

[@kegdoty]

Absolute legend

[@quarantinediaries]

This is an excellent doc of the process!! I've always only seen the part of the process that takes place in the recording space, so seeing the rehearsal days before that was fascinating. Well done! Let's do another one soon, ya?

[@abworkshops]

Amazing, thanks Bob, appreciate you taking the time to do this :-)