Craig Schneider

Craig Schneider

Pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger, musical director, educator.

Craig Schneider is a multi award-winning pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger, and musical director. Equally at home on the concert stage or in an intimate jazz club, he has performed all over the world.

"If jazz is ever to gain another resurgence among the public in this country it will be through musicians such as the multi-talented Schneider. He's an entertainer…" The Australian

With musical influences ranging from the swinging style of Oscar Peterson and Nat “King” Cole to the fiery Latin music of Michel Camilo and Chick Corea, Craig performs a versatile and engaging repertoire of his own original compositions and jazz standards. His composition “Autumn Fire” was included on the Japanese compilation album Jazz Bar 2009.

Craig performs with his jazz trio, his own shows, and is a sought after musical director, currently working with vocalist Nina Ferro's CENTURY OF WOMEN IN SONG and the show SWING ON THIS.

Australian born, Craig moved to London in 2004. He performed with his jazz trio at such notable UK jazz venues as Pizza Express Jazz Club, the 606 Club, Octave, Royal Albert Hall and the National Theatre as well as many UK festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Bury St Edmunds Festival and London Jazz Festival.

During this time Craig was invited to be Musical Director of the touring production of the West End show The Rat Pack, Live from Las Vegas  and he went on to conduct the show’s 15-piece big band in concert halls and theatres throughout the UK, USA, Scandinavia and Germany. 

A respected jazz artist, Craig has been featured at most of Australia’s major jazz festivals with his trio and big band, and has shared the stage with such jazz greats as legendary bassist Ray Brown, vocalist Marion Montgomery and Australian trumpet virtuoso James Morrison.

Craig has released six CDs: Craig Schneider, 's Wonderful – Craig Schneider's Gershwin, The Start of Something Big, the swing album Swing Still Works For Me,TRIO, featuring his own original compositions and his latest album Fly Right - a tribute to Nat “King” Cole.

Prior to moving to the UK he appeared on national radio and television programs in Australia including Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Strassman and Good Morning Australia.

Since returning from London, Craig has continued to perform widely with his trio and swing band, as well as taking on the role of Musical Director for SWING ON THIS, with performances including  the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Brisbane Festival and the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

A keen surfer, skier and international traveler, Craig has visited mountain gorillas in Africa, rafted down the Nile, ridden camels in the Sahara, skied glaciers in the European alps, dog-sleighed inside the Arctic Circle and his most recent escapade saw him trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

"Schneider continues to demonstrate his ability to match the mood of a song with just the right touch on the piano…" The Canberra Times