#pastorius

... remembering ...

In the same way that Jaco Pastorius pushed Weather Report into the height of their popularity, it is my argument that Mark Lettieri lended something to Snarky Puppy that pushed them into creating songs like “Lingus'' and “What About Me?”. Dare I compare Mark Lettieri to Jaco? Dare I point to Lettieri as the one responsible for the greatness of the aforementioned Snarky Puppy songs? 

I do not dare compare Lettieri to Pastorius, but I do believe the two had a similar effect in popularizing their respective groups. As a baritone guitar player, Mike Lettieri’s sound holds some significant weight. Even alongside Michael League (bassist of Snarky Puppy) or Wes Stephenson (bassist in the Mike Lettieri Group), Lettieri doesn’t get drowned out. He contributes to a very whole, bass heavy sound that is no less than great for what he’s going for. Lettieri’s performance of “Red Dwarf” with his group does not disappoint. If you're new to his music, the Mark Lettieri Group might be some of his most accessible music. It is just as worthy as the Snarky Puppy stuff, however, Lettieri showcases his funk chops and a pseudo-bass-face.To hear what he sounds like in a larger band, listen to Lettieri’s effect on Snarky Puppy in “Jambone”. While he might take more of a back-seat role in playing with Snarky Puppy, he still infuses the band with his own style and ability, whether that be in small infusions of riffs and fills or a near-face-melting solo (Jambone, 2:22). His playing is seamless, fluent and purposeful. He plays a lot of notes, sure, but there’s no fluff. 

I also am reluctant to point to Mark Lettieri as the one being solely responsible for some of Snarky Puppy’s best work. Clearly there are multiple hands at work there, including, but surely not limited to Cory Henry, Michael League, and Bob Lanzetti. I will say that Lettieri was certainly a part of it. I don’t think that’s a stretch of a statement. Snarky Puppy is too large a band to blame a single member for its larger success. Guitar greatness is a thing to behold, as too many people are regarded as fantastic guitar players. There are loads of fantastic guitarists, without a doubt, but seldom am I seriously taken aback by a particular guitarist. Lettieri is one that has gotten my attention, John Mayer (specifically in the context of the John Mayer Trio) is another…

Reference “Jefe”, by Snarky Puppy. The song was written by Mark Lettieri for Snarky Puppy and features some really cool guitar playing between the three guitarists of the band, Lanzetti, Lettieri, and Chris McQueen. The guitar is the hooking factor of the song- a sea of syncopation only to lead you to a solo by Lettieri himself. 

Ballsy statements are sometimes made in the face of blindness and it’s not hard to walk them back. Mark Lettieri is one of the most captivating guitarists of this generation… but no one compares to Jaco. And Mark Lettieri certainly lends his guitar playing to the greater sound of Snarky Puppy, but there are too many other great musicians in the band to explain their greatness with Lettieri solely.