Schuller was born in New York City, but moved to Boston at a young age. He received his bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1982.
Schuller spent most of the next decade-plus playing in and around the Boston area with such local musicians as
Herb Pomeroy,
Ran Blake,
George Garzone, and
Jaki Byard. In 1984, he formed
Orange Then Blue, an ambitious and highly acclaimed 12-piece ensemble that has recorded several albums for the GM label.
Schuller moved to Brooklyn in 1994, where (besides
Orange Then Blue) he's led the groups Chump Change, Schulldogs, and Jiggle.
Schuller played on
Joe Lovano's 1995 album
Rush Hour; he's also played with
Dave Douglas,
Lee Konitz,
Nnenna Freelon, and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, among others. In addition,
Schuller has worked as a record producer. His father is the composer/conductor
Gunther Schuller and his brother the bassist
Ed Schuller. ~ Chris Kelsey, All Music Guide