Rich Shemaria resides in New York City where he plies his talents as a composer and arranger. Since 2004, he's been a member of the composition faculty in the Jazz Studies Department at New York University, NY where he also directs the jazz orchestra.

A prolific composer and arranger, Rich has written for noted artists such as Joe Lovano, Chris Potter, Wayne Krantz, Teo Macero, Michael & Randy Brecker, Lenny Pickett, Don Friedman, UMO, The Airmen of Note and Randy Johnston. His contemporary chamber works are in the books of the Meridian Arts Ensemble, the Mannes College Brass and Percussion Ensemble, saxophonist Jim Noyes and the Helicon Brass Trio.

His CD is entitled '3:AM' which features his New York City based big band with soloists Marvin Stamm, Tim Hagans, Rich Perry,David Mann, Jim Pugh and Randy Johnston.

Born in Southern California in 1955, Rich Shemaria was educated in classical and jazz music but enjoyed a diverse number of world music forms. He moved to New York City in 1985 where he became part of the jazz scene, forming his own big band, the Rich Shemaria Jazz Orchestra.

From 1990-91 he participated in one of the first BMI Composers Workshops under the direction of Bob Brookmeyer and Manny Albam. From 1994-96 he lived in Helsinki, Finland where he served as musical director of the UMO Jazz Orchestra, the national radio big band of Finland. While there he toured with Natalie Cole and conducted performances with artists like Michael Brecker, Paquito de Rivera, Mercer Ellington, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Houston Person to name a few.