Western Colorado Music Icon Paul Schneider Passes Away

Western Colorado musician and music educator Paul Schneider has passed away. You no doubt remember him from countless performances with several of the area's best Jazz and Classical ensembles.

For decades, Paul Schneider served as the instrumental music director at Mesa College. Prior to that, he served as a music teacher with School District 51, leading the band program at Grand Junction High School.

Over the years, he performed with several area ensembles, including the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, Clark Gault's Swing City Express, Jazz City, The Gary R. Smith Trio, Bobby Walker's Band, and much more.

In addition to being a world-class educator, Schneider was renowned for his skill as a performer on a wide variety of woodwind instruments.

Schneider passed away yesterday afternoon, February 5, 2017, at his home in Grand Junction. Please take a moment to enjoy a tune composed by Gary R. Smith in honor of Paul  Schneider. The track below features Paul Schneider on sax, performing "Paul's Bossa."