Since arriving in New York in 1982, pianist, composer, arranger and educator Michael Weiss has firmly established his reputation working with numerous jazz legends. Perhaps best known through his fifteen year tenure as pianist with Johnny Griffin, Weiss has also been a member of the bands of Art Farmer, the Jazztet, Slide Hampton, Frank Wess, Charles McPherson, Lou Donaldson, Junior Cook/Bill Hardman Quintet, Mingus Epitaph, and Jon Hendricks. He is currently a regular member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Weiss has also worked with Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, George Coleman, Clifford Jordan, Pepper Adams, Cecil Payne, Nancy Wilson, Donald Byrd, Randy Brecker, Clark Terry, Phil Woods, The Heath Brothers, Gary Bartz, Wynton Marsalis and Ron Carter among others. ...
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Since arriving in New York in 1982, pianist, composer, arranger and educator Michael Weiss has firmly established his reputation working with numerous jazz legends. Perhaps best known through his fifteen year tenure as pianist with Johnny Griffin, Weiss has also been a member of the bands of Art Farmer, the Jazztet, Slide Hampton, Frank Wess, Charles McPherson, Lou Donaldson, Junior Cook/Bill Hardman Quintet, Mingus Epitaph, and Jon Hendricks. He is currently a regular member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Weiss has also worked with Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, George Coleman, Clifford Jordan, Pepper Adams, Cecil Payne, Nancy Wilson, Donald Byrd, Randy Brecker, Clark Terry, Phil Woods, The Heath Brothers, Gary Bartz, Wynton Marsalis and Ron Carter among others.
As a leader, Weiss has headlined at the Village Vanguard, Detroit Jazz Festival, Detroit Symphony Hall, Smithsonian Institution, and major New York venues such as Merkin Concert Hall, the Blue Note, Jazz Standard, Birdland, Bradley's and Sweet Basil. Reviewing his Vanguard debut, the New York Times wrote that Weiss “demonstrated a strong sense of leadership and organization” exhibiting “sensitivity and logic, along with crisp control.” Television appearances include CBS-TV’s Nightwatch with Charlie Rose and PBS’ Live From Lincoln Center: The City of Jazz. Radio appearances include PianoJazz with Marion McPartland, Making the Music with Wynton Marsalis, Jazzset and the Jazz Piano Christmas Special. Weiss is a 1989 prizewinner in the Thelonious Monk piano competition.
Weiss has recorded for the Criss Cross, SteepleChase, and DIW labels. The press were unanimous in their praise of Weiss’ latest release, "Soul Journey" (Sintra), a collection of nine original compositions for septet:
"Weiss’ shrewd writing and arranging skills are as clearly in view as his sleek piano work” – The New Yorker
"Weiss has a rich palette of composing devices at his command” – Downbeat
"warmth, integrity and above all, thought-provoking originality” – JazzTimes
“the song simply smoke” – Detroit Free Press
“Weiss’ compositions take on different shapes, great complexity and fresh perspectives” — Washington Post
“intelligence, intensity and integrity are three defining terms for this pianist/composer” – Hartford Currant
Weiss also appears on recordings led by Johnny Griffin, Frank Wess, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Charles McPherson, Steve Grossman, Ronnie Cuber, Dick Oatts and Louis Smith.
As a composer Weiss is a two-time Doris Duke/Chamber Music America New Works grant recipient and was the grand prize winner of the 2000 BMI/Thelonious Monk Institute's Composition Competition presented to him by Wayne Shorter. Weiss’ compositions reveal eclectic influences from the worlds of jazz, 20th Century classical and even rock -- from Wayne Shorter to Alexander Scriabin to Led Zeppelin. Weiss focuses on extended forms, thematic development and attention to detail. "A greater percentage of composition in the mix is crucial to keeping Jazz moving forward," explains Weiss. "The solo after solo bit on the same chord changes is becoming a worn out model. This doesn’t mean giving up on jazz’s foundations. I’m interested in incorporating improvised solos within a piece like characters in a play or perhaps as the narrator between scenes. I’m always looking for fresh ways to expand my material.”
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