Michael Weiss Posted October 1, 2006 Report Posted October 1, 2006 I'm greatly looking forward to this special opportunity and I'm calling on (begging) all NY area Organissimo Forum members to please come out and help fill the club! For Immediate 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 Quote
Larry Kart Posted October 1, 2006 Report Posted October 1, 2006 Wish I could be there, and that just might be possible. My wife and I have hoping we could get to NYC this fall. I'm a big fan of Sadownick (though based on less experience of his playing, and only on recordings, than I would like) and can imagine how well you, he, and the rest of the band would interact. Quote
Michael Weiss Posted October 4, 2006 Author Report Posted October 4, 2006 Wish I could be there, and that just might be possible. My wife and I have hoping we could get to NYC this fall. I'm a big fan of Sadownick (though based on less experience of his playing, and only on recordings, than I would like) and can imagine how well you, he, and the rest of the band would interact. Hope to see you there Larry. Daniel's a serious player. Definitely puts his game-face on when it's time to hit. I'll also be in Evanston December 1-2. Quote
Michael Weiss Posted October 9, 2006 Author Report Posted October 9, 2006 Break a leg! Kick some major buttage! g Thanks for the well wishes. Quote
Michael Weiss Posted October 15, 2006 Author Report Posted October 15, 2006 I'll be talking about our upcoming week at the Vanguard this Tuesday (October 17) at 2:00pm EST. on WBGO Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted October 16, 2006 Report Posted October 16, 2006 Looking forward to reports. Sorry I can't be there. Good luck Michael Quote
GregN Posted October 16, 2006 Report Posted October 16, 2006 Soul Journey is high on my list of purchases to be made. Not giggin due to this darn hand...but I will get it soon. The sound clips are very intriguing. g Quote
brownie Posted October 26, 2006 Report Posted October 26, 2006 Very nice review in the New York Times today A VETERAN SIDEMAN SHOWS THAT HE KNOWS HOW TO LEAD By NATE CHINEN Published: October 26, 2006 The pianist Michael Weiss knows a lot about making other people sound better. He has worked extensively as a sideman over the last 25 years, supporting elders like the tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin and the trumpeter Art Farmer. On most Monday nights he can be heard at the Village Vanguard, playing with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra; his last weeklong stint at the club was just a few months ago, as the de facto musical director for a quartet led by the trumpeter Joe Wilder. This week Mr. Weiss is making his first headlining appearance at the Vanguard, with a five-piece band and a book of his own music. It’s a big step forward, but, judging by Mr. Weiss’s first set on Tuesday night, he is more than ready. Focusing mainly on material from his last album, “Soul Journey” (Sintra, 2003), he demonstrated a strong sense of both leadership and organization. It manifested itself most clearly in the compositions. “Orient Express,” for instance, started in a fusion vein, with some darkly modern harmonies; then it switched over to a sleek and swinging hard-bop mode. Mr. Weiss’s brisk solo was punctuated intermittently by a syncopated ensemble figure. And when it was time for a solo turn by Steve Wilson on soprano saxophone, the gears shifted again, into a two-chord funk vamp. The intricacy of the arrangement recalled the small-group writing of Horace Silver, while the song’s tonal palette suggested the influence of Wayne Shorter. “The Prophecy” was a much simpler tune, though it still had a noteworthy structural quirk: alternating four-bar stretches of 4/4 swing and 12/8 Afro-Cuban rhythm. That conceit, which extended through the song’s improvisational sections, nudged Mr. Wilson toward an excellent alto solo, both probing and playful in tone. At one point he quoted a phrase from “Fascinating Rhythm” and then conjugated it through several different keys, in the manner of John Coltrane’s “Acknowledgement,” from “A Love Supreme.” Mr. Weiss, though a confident and sometimes sparkling presence on piano, rarely sought the spotlight. He kept his statements concise and his volume in check; he could have played louder and longer, but seemed intent on keeping the focus on the band. So attention often fell on his expert rhythm section, with Ugonna Okegwo on bass, Daniel Sadownick on percussion and George Fludas on drums. Each player had a moment to shine; Mr. Sadownick made the most of his, starting a conga solo with quietly fluttering fingers and gradually building up to a two-handed roar. Near the end of the set’s closer, a ruminative original called “Atlantis” (not to be mistaken for the Wayne Shorter tune), Mr. Weiss fashioned an unaccompanied coda, focusing on some delicate and just slightly dissonant chords. There was no abandon in his playing, but there was sensitivity and logic, along with crisp control. The Michael Weiss Quintet continues through Sunday at the Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street, West Village, (212) 255-4037, villagevanguard.com. Wish I could make the trip Quote
ghost of miles Posted October 28, 2006 Report Posted October 28, 2006 Was just about to post that review myself! Congratulations for the great writeup, Michael, and really looking forward to seeing you at Bear's when you hit B-town this December. Quote
catesta Posted October 28, 2006 Report Posted October 28, 2006 Michael I'm sorry I missed the gig. I'm out west on business. Nice review. I'm sure the crowd was as nice. Quote
Michael Weiss Posted October 28, 2006 Author Report Posted October 28, 2006 Everyone's been playing their ass off all week. The crowds have been great. We're sold out tonight. Couldn't ask for anything more. Even Lorraine loves the music. Celebrity in attendence - Jim Belushi More later..... Quote
sheldonm Posted October 28, 2006 Report Posted October 28, 2006 Although these are not images of Micheal at the Vanguard, they are images I made of Michael playing with Frank Wess as well as one with the Vanguard Orchestra ealier this month in LA. m~ Quote
sheldonm Posted October 28, 2006 Report Posted October 28, 2006 ...and one with the Vanguard Orchestra. It was great hanging out with Michael.....had dinner at some Cuban joint and chatted about some of Michael's experiences....great player as well. m~ Quote
catesta Posted October 28, 2006 Report Posted October 28, 2006 Everyone's been playing their ass off all week. The crowds have been great. We're sold out tonight. Couldn't ask for anything more. Even Lorraine loves the music. Celebrity in attendence - Jim Belushi More later..... That's great. I hope this is a sign of things to come. Quote
Guest youmustbe Posted October 28, 2006 Report Posted October 28, 2006 Saturday is ALWAYS sold out at Vanguard...it;s such a small place that if my grandmother played there, it would be sold out. ALL clubs pack 'em in on Saturday nights, for that matter. Quote
Michael Weiss Posted October 28, 2006 Author Report Posted October 28, 2006 "Are you talkin' to me?" Quote
AllenLowe Posted October 28, 2006 Report Posted October 28, 2006 well, we know you're gandmother's hot stuff, but I think you're confusing clubs - there's no runway at the Vanguard - Quote
sheldonm Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 I'm pretty sure if I played the Vanguard, it would not be sold out on any night!!! m~ Quote
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