Originally from the Philadelphia area, the career of saxophonist Carl Schultz has seen him as a soloist, composer, woodwind specialist, educator, and historian. Schultz began this journey studying with modern saxophonists such as Ben Schachter and composer Norman David. Their unique approaches to improvisational music blended with the sounds of the Philadelphia Jazz scene where Schultz was spending his time listening to great masters of the music.
Schultz moved to New York to pursue an education and received a Bachelors of Music degree from the conservatory of music at SUNY Purchase College before returning to Philadelphia and completing a Masters of Music degree at The University of The Arts. During this time Schultz was leading his own quartet as well as playing in many large ensembles in Philadelphia. This dual path of original music and tradition would come to be a feature of Schultz's career.
Schultz was a touring member of The Glenn Miller Orchestra playing nearly 1,000 performances and is featured on The Glenn Miller Orchestra: Live In Tokyo. Schultz's career has also featured many modern Jazz large ensembles such as Brad Goode's Polytonal Big Band, The Lars Halle Orchestra, Norman David and the Eleventet, and Slowbern whose Dreams of Daedalus features Schultz as a section player and soloist.
Schultz earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Colorado during what proved to be a pivotal point in his career. It was in Colorado that Schultz met future collaborators such as Art Lande and Brad Goode; both of whom Schultz would later record with.
Currently residing in Santa Clara, California where he serves as Director of Jazz Studies at Santa Clara University, Schultz is proudly presenting a new album, The Road to Trantor. An exploration of the themes found in science fiction author Issac Asimov's works, this eight movement suite is a follow up to Schultz's trio recording, ACT reACT. The Road to Trantor features Adam Benjamin, Tim Wendel, Zack Teran, and Alwyn Robinson. Alongside saxophone and flute, Schultz uses many effects pedals throughout the record.
Schultz has often been a guest lecturer and clinician. He served as Penn State Altoona's Emerging Artist in Residence as well as giving clinics at many schools including The University of The Arts, University of Nevada Reno, University of Missouri, and many others.