Michael Weiss Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Sure enough...In any Wayne interview there's a gem of a quote: "Art comes first—the Baby, save the Baby!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Weiss Posted September 25, 2006 Report Share Posted September 25, 2006 This Topic seems to be as good a place as any to plug this upcoming gig. Maybe as it gets closer I'll move it to the Live Shows forum. I hope local Organissimo posters will come and check us out. Here's the press release: MICHAEL WEISS QUINTET AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD OCTOBER 24 - 29, 2006 Pianist and composer Michael Weiss brings his quintet to the Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, the week of October 24 - 29, 2006. Set times are 9:00pm and 11:00pm. Accompanying Weiss will be Steve Wilson, alto and soprano saxophones; Ugonna Okegwo, bass; George Fludas, drums; and Daniel Sadownick, percussion. For reservations and information: (212) 255-4037 www.villagevanguard.com. For twenty years, Weiss has performed several times at the Vanguard as a sideman with Johnny Griffin, Charles McPherson, Von Freeman, George Coleman, Joe Wilder and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Weiss' resumé also includes work with Art Farmer, Frank Wess, Slide Hampton, Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Heath, the Jazztet, Lou Donaldson, Junior Cook and Bill Hardman, Cecil Payne, Pete LaRoca, Clifford Jordan, and others. For this engagement, Weiss will be performing a program of original compositions including those from his most recent CD, “Soul Journey” (Sintra Records). For the last decade Weiss has focused his performances almost exclusively on his compositions. In 1996 he formed a sextet which gave Weiss the opportunity to develop and expand his material. Performances included the Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival, the Stanford Jazz Festival, the Smithsonian Institution, NPR’s “Jazzset,” and in New York at the Blue Note, Smalls, the Jazz Standard, the Jazz Gallery, Smoke, WNYC and WQXR. In 2000, Weiss was awarded the BMI/Monk Institute Composers Competition grandprize, presented to him by Wayne Shorter for his piece, “El Camino,” which appears on “Soul Journey.” With influences as varied as Scriabin and Szymanowski to Shorter, Weiss' compositions focus on extended forms, thematic development and attention to detail. Says Weiss, "a greater percentage of composition in the mix is crucial to keeping Jazz moving forward. 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 ways in which to expand my material.” In 2003 Weiss was a recipient of the Doris Duke/Chamber Music America New Works grant, for which he wrote the suite, Three Doors. Concert engagements in 2005 included the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s jazz series. Reviews of Soul Journey “His ambitious new album, “Soul Journey,” keeps Weiss’ shrewd writing and arranging skills as clearly in view as his sleek piano work, honed with the likes of Art Farmer and Johnny Griffin.” – The New Yorker “Weiss has a rich palette of composing devices at his command.” – Downbeat “Soul Journey has warmth, integrity and above all, originality.” – JazzTimes “About as close to perfection as a recording can get....If there is truly justice in our world, this should be a Grammy nominee.” – Jazz Improv “It’s not often that you find jazz compositions of the caliber offered up on Soul Journey. [it] goes far beyond your typical mainstream fare. Weiss is a vital talent with something important to say.” – All About Jazz “This music lives and breathes freshness and exhilarating originality. The individual selections are strong and attractive enough, to still be played as jazz vehicles in 10, 20, or even 50 year’s time.” – Jazz Journal “Weiss’ compositions take on different shapes, great complexity and fresh perspectives.” — Washington Post Michael Weiss Website: http://www.michaelweiss.info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Weiss Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 (edited) JANUARY 11, 2007 THE MICHAEL WEISS QUARTET performs at the KITANO NEW YORK 66 Park Avenue at 38th Street Sets at 8:00pm and 9:45pm 212-885-7000 MICHAEL WEISS - piano BOB SHEPPARD - tenor, soprano saxophones UGONNA OKEGWO - bass GREG HUTCHINSON - drums NO COVER CHARGE!! Join us for some exciting original music www.michaelweiss.info "a strong sense of both leadership and organization" "a confident and sparkling presence on piano" "sensitivity and logic, along with crisp control" – Nate Chinen, New York Times Edited January 2, 2007 by Michael Weiss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonm Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 JANUARY 11, 2007 THE MICHAEL WEISS QUARTET performs at the KITANO NEW YORK 66 Park Avenue at 38th Street Sets at 8:00pm and 9:45pm 212-885-7000 MICHAEL WEISS - piano BOB SHEPPARD - tenor, soprano saxophones UGONNA OKEGWO - bass GREG HUTCHINSON - drums NO COVER CHARGE!! Join us for some exciting original music www.michaelweiss.info "a strong sense of both leadership and organization" "a confident and sparkling presence on piano" "sensitivity and logic, along with crisp control" – Nate Chinen, New York Times Nice, intimate place to see a show....~ Wish I were in NYC to catch it! m~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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