Daniel Schnyder was born on 12 March 1961 in Zurich/Switzerland and lives in New York City. He works as composer and instrumentalist (saxophone) and his works comprise symphonies, instrumental music, operas, oratorios, a concerto for chamber orchestra, various orchestra pieces, numerous chamber music works and many CD productions with jazz compositions and cross-over-related music with Arab, Latin-American and African musicians.
Daniel Schnyder is composer in residence of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra under Andreas Delfs and regularly writes music for the New York “Absolute Ensemble” under Kristjan Jaervi. In 2004/05 he works as composer in residence for the Menuhin Festival in Gstaad and as consultant for Absolute Ensemble N.Y.C. and various festivals with respect to special music projects ranging from classic, jazz to ethnic music.
In 1996 Daniel Schnyder was awarded the first prize at the International Trumpet Guild Composition Contest for his music for brass instruments which will be released by the Graham Ashton Brassensemble 2003 on Signum records integral. David Taylor performed Daniel Schnyder’s “Bass Trombone Concerto” in New York, Schnyder produced a CD of this concert which won the Grammy Nomination 2002.
His latest releases include the Jazz album Da Skale (TCB records) together with Kenny Drew jr. and Zoom In (Universal) with the Carmina Quartett (first recording of the “3rd String Quartet”) and Arab percussion.
Daniel Schnyder also plays regularly as soloist with orchestras and jazz bands and holds master classes in composition, improvisation and arrangement. Most of his jazz compositions have been released by enjarecords – more than 12 CDS ranging from trio to big band, symphonic music and jazz. (2010)
Web: http://www.universaledition.com/Daniel-Schnyder/composers-and-works/composer/2232/biography