Maria Schneider Quick Info
Height5 ft 9 in
Weight58 kg
Date of BirthNovember 27, 1960
Zodiac SignSagittarius
Eye ColorGreen

Maria Schneider is a multiple Grammy award-winning American composer and conductor and leader of a world-renowned eponymous jazz orchestra. She is also considered to be one of the most crucial composers in the world of jazz as well as one of the few big-band leaders who don’t play but only conduct.

Born Name

Maria Lynn Schneider

Nick Name

Maria

Sun Sign

Sagittarius

Born Place

Windom, Minnesota, United States

Residence

New York City, New York, United States

Nationality

American

Education

Maria attended the University of Minnesota, from where she graduated with a degree in music theory and composition in 1983.

Later, in 1985, Maria completed her master’s degree in Music at Eastman School of Music. During that time, she also received an NEA Apprenticeship Grant to study with Bob Brookmeyer.

Maria also attended the University of Miami for one year.

Occupation

Musician, Composer, Bandleader, Conductor

Genre

Jazz, Big Band, Avant-Garde, Contemporary Classical

Instruments

Piano

Labels

ArtistShare

Build

Slim

Height

5 ft 9 in or 175 cm

Weight

58 kg or 128 lbs

Boyfriend / Spouse

Maria has dated –

  • John William Fedchock – Maria was once married to jazz trombonist, bandleader, and arranger John William Fedchock. However, they later legally parted ways.

    • Race / Ethnicity

    White

    Hair Color

    Blonde

    Eye Color

    Green

    Sexual Orientation

    Straight

    Distinctive Features

    • Thin eyebrows and lips
    • Almond eye shape
    • Green eyes
    • Wide smile

    Maria Schneider Facts

  • After graduating from the Eastman School of Music in 1985, Maria was hired as a copyist and assistant by Canadian-American jazz pianist, arranger, composer, and bandleader, Gil Evans.
  • She formed her first band in 1988, with her then-husband John William Fedchock. However, after their marriage was annulled and with that, the band was also debunked. Later, in 1992, Maria formed her own band called the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra. The group has performed at various jazz festivals and concert halls in Europe, South America, and Asia.
  • In 1994, Maria released her debut studio album titled Evanescence. It was compiled with a total of 9 tracks that included Wyrgly, Evanescence, Gumba Blue, Some Circles, Green Piece, Gush, My Lament, Dance You Monster to My Soft Song, and Last Season. From there, she went on to release several other albums including Sky Blue, Winter Morning Walks, The Thompson Fields, and Data Lords.
  • The release of her 4th studio album Concert in the Garden (2004) earned Maria her first Grammy Award.
  • She is an advocate for musicians’ rights and copyright. Besides that, she is also on the board of directors for the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
  • In her free time, she loves to watch birds. She has released several bird-related songs some of which are Cerulean Skies on Sky Blue, Waxwing on Coming About, Bird Count on Days of Wine and Roses, and Arbiters of Evolution on The Thompson Fields.

    • Featured Image By Geert Vandepoele / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

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