WILL SCHNEIDER TRIO

CONVERGANCE

Marmite’ Records

Will Schneider, French horn; Brad Billmasier, drums; Andrew Peck, acoustic bass; A.J. Shenk, tenor saxophone; Geoffrey Schneider, alto saxophone.

Will Schneider brings the French horn into the spotlight, exploring its role in jazz, classical, experimental and light rock traditional music. The opening composition is called “Cave of Dreams” and allows his ensemble to develop this original tune, starting with the horn and bass having a conversation with each other. There is a warmth to this Avant-garde approach to experimental music that features Schneider’s horn talents and his composer expertise. At first, it’s just a trio presentation of drums, acoustic bass and Schneider on horn.

Active in the mid-western community, Schneider is based in Northwest Ohio as a composer, improvisor, educator and hornist. The second tune, “Sea of Stars” is much more melodic than the premier composition.  The melody bounces atop the bass line of Andrew Peck, with the creative, driving drums of Brad Billmasier grounding the arrangement.  This composition is far more energetic than the pensive, moderate tempo arrangement on “Cave of Dreams.” However, Schneider surprises the listener by activating a spray of rhythms and tempo changes. Some move from slow to being generously propelled ahead by Billmasier.  Once Brad’s drums drop out, the arrangement takes on a more moody flavor with concentration on Schneider’s melody.

At first, Schneider’s horn growls and commands my attention on “Eldr Gathering.”  When he moved into the higher register of his French horn range, this musician sounds quite playful. The drums add to this playful flavor, tapping in between melodic phrases and drawing me into a short two-minute presentation.

The title tune, “Convergence” brings all musical players together, starting with a very hypnotic drum beat by Billmaier that moves into a 6/8 jazz feel. He is joined by Peck’s bass to establish a groove for Will Schneider to dance over on his French horn. The whole idea for this trio is to bathe in the world of improvisation, taking a song idea and developing it, in the moment, then creating a cohesive piece of music.  After all, “Convergence” exemplified the fact that two or more things or ideas, come together as one.  An example of this is how pop-culture trends merged with technological progress to give us cell phones and the “selfie.”

The song “In the Tradition” added blues to the mix.  I enjoyed this exploration of improvising by the players, that seems to inspire the soulful way Schneider plays his horn. When they cut the time in half, the blues is more pronounced. Then, the drummer is given several moments to solo and excel. The bass line is a thread that holds this arrangement in perfect place.

These pieces of beautiful melodies, wild, unexpected rhythms, and blended horn harmonies (featuring Geoffry Schneider on alto sax and A. J. Shenk on tenor). They offer our ears a performance of freedom and improvised creativity. Will Schneider is presenting a package of music, both entertaining and unique.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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