This project was developed in summer of last year to add to the canon of great jazz suites (a la Mingus, Ellington, Roach, Rollins, and more) to not only demonstrate intersectionality between jazz and queerness, but also reflect on and celebrate queer life in modern day America in eight movements. There's a great disparity in this world when it comes to acknowledging and or welcoming LGBTQIA+ voices in jazz. As far as my research can show, there has never been an album of this topic in this genre (or most other genres) that exists. Pride Suite was successfully premiered on February 17th, 2024 in Bryan Hall at Bowling Green State University and was recorded in April of 2024.
Geoff Schneider, saxophones
Micah White, guitar
Ariel Kasler, keyboards
Samantha Simpson, piano (Pulpit 46)
Lee Mullenbrock, bass
Brad Billmaier, drums
Will Schneider, aux instrumentals (Pulpit 46)
Hayley Currin and Sophia Singleton, orators and script writers (Pulpit 46)
Recording at Stone Soup Recording Studios in Maumee, OH (https://www.stonesouprec.com/) - Eric Sills, mix/master/engineer
Proceeds from the album's release will be split between the artist, Nick Mays' I Exist Project (https://www.iexistproject.org/) and The Trevor Project (https://www.thetrevorproject.org/)
This is the footage of the premiere from Feb. 17, 2024 at Bryan Hall, Moore Musical Arts Center, Bowling Green State University
To all who donated and contributed to making this music happen - thank you! A special thanks as well to the BGSU College of Musical Arts Graduate Senate for awarding us a Professional Development Grant to help with the costs as well!
Pianist Sam Simpson's view for the recording of Pulpit 46
Copyright © 2024 Geoff Schneider Music - All Rights Reserved.