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David Weiss

Moving jazz forward has been David Weiss’s modus operandi ever since he appeared on the scene in the late eighties when he established himself in New York by touring and/or recording with the likes of Freddie Hubbard, Charles Tolliver, Billy Harper, Bobby Hutcherson, Slide Hampton, James Moody, Tom Harrell, Louis Hayes, Muhal Richard Abrams, and Billy Hart, among many others.

Weiss was born and raised in Queens, New York and began taking piano lessons when he was ten years old. He added trumpet to his arsenal when he was 13. The music in his neighborhood was rock-n-roll and the favorites were the likes of Led Zepplin and Black Sabbath, which he embraced. His tastes soon evolved to more progressive rock like King Crimson and Gentle Giant and then to further out European rock groups like Magma, Area and Henry Cow. In high school, he began playing keyboards (and also a little trumpet through effects) in some local rock bands and right before leaving for college began to play in a band that eventually morphed into the group Material featuring future producers Bill Laswell and Michael Beinhorn. While in art school, Weiss became more exposed to free jazz and began to focus primarily on trumpet again. He also got the opportunity to perform with Fred Frith, Chris Cutler and Henry Kaiser. Weiss then left art school to attend Karl Berger’s Creative Music Studio studying with George Lewis, Jimmy Giuffre, Leo Smith, Pauline Oliveros, Gerry Hemmingway and John Zorn among many others. At the suggestion of Mr. Giuffre, Weiss sought out a more fully rounded music education and transferred to North Texas State University. Upon graduating,

Weiss returned to New York and soon found work with Jaki Byard, Frank Foster and Jimmy Heath and began to study with fellow trumpeters Tommy Turrentine and Bill Hardman.. He also became a mainstay in New York’s thriving Salsa scene, playing with many of the legends of the music. He also played in many of the top Haitian and Soca bands in New York and toured extensively throughout the Carribean with these groups. Weiss also did a short stint with Ray Charles and assisted in scoring the music for the TV show “The Cosby Mysteries” starring Bill Cosby.

In 1996, recognizing a lack of serious new jazz writing, Weiss recruited some young, first-call New York musicians and composers to form the New Jazz Composers Octet. With their passionate rendering of thoughtful arrangements and firm rooting in tradition, the collective quickly established itself as the “sound of the new jazz mainstream” (Ben Ratliff, NYTimes) and was praised for their ability to “stretch hard bops kind-of-unstretchable formula (Jim Macnie, Village Voice). Of Weiss’ contribution to the Octet’s 1999 recording debut, First Steps Into Reality (Fresh Sound Records), Willard Jenkins commented, “a skilled arranger, transcriber and all-round coordinator, Weiss also brings righteous trumpet chops to this potent mix.” (Jazz Times). The CD was also lauded as a “gem” and received a Critic’s Pick as one of the Top 5 Albums of the Year in Jazz Times.

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Liner Notes

Joe Chambers: Moving Pictures Orchestra: Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola

Read "Joe Chambers: Moving Pictures Orchestra: Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola" reviewed by John Kelman


It's one thing to have an established `place in the jazz pantheon, another to continue redefining that position, long after others might be content to rest on their laurels. Joe Chambers' work behind the drum kit with artists including Andrew Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Charles Mingus, and McCoy Tyner has already ensured a prominent place in jazz history. His output as a leader may be small, but he's delivered two outstanding Savant recordings in 2006's The Outlaw ...

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Album Review

David Weiss & Point of Departure: Wake Up Call

Read "Wake Up Call" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Trumpeter David Weiss incorporates a heavy-duty guitar assault into this exhilarating program designed with a diverse track-list, comprised of originals by jazz luminaries Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, John McLaughlin and Tony Williams among others. The trumpeter's Point of Departure ensemble generates a neo-jazz fusion panorama, coupled with an emphatic integration of progressive jazz amid references to bop and a few excursions into the outside realm. Besides the triad of outstanding guitarists, Weiss yields a big payout from all-star saxophonists Myron ...

2
Jazz Near Me

The Cookers at Birdland

Read "The Cookers at Birdland" reviewed by Dorothy Johnson-Laird


The Cookers Birdland New York, NY September 17, 2016 On a warm night in New York City The Cookers took the stage. This appearance at Birdland marked the release of their latest CD, The Call of the Wild and Peaceful Heart (Smoke Session Records, 2016). Each member of the front line is a jazz stalwart, and leaders of their own bands. Billy Harper is old enough to have played with Art Blakey's Jazz ...

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Jazz Raconteurs

David Weiss: Memories of Freddie Hubbard

Read "David Weiss: Memories of Freddie Hubbard" reviewed by David Weiss


Noted trumpeter, composer, and New Jazz Composers Octet founder, David Weiss shares several stories about his experience with trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard. As told to David Kaufman. I met Freddie Hubbard soon after he damaged his lip. I guess what basically happened was he had a blister on his lip that popped and got infected. His doctor thought it might be cancer or something related so they did a biopsy. It came back negative and he thought he ...

7
Album Review

David Weiss: When Words Fail

Read "When Words Fail" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


"Where words fail, music speaks." Jana Herzen, head of Motema Music, shared this Hans Christian Anderson quote with David Weiss after the trumpeter had already titled his new record; the sentiment of that statement just happens to perfectly connect with this album. In 2013, loss seemed to hover around Weiss, his friends, and the jazz community at large. So, when faced with the cruel realities of life and death, Weiss did what any artist of great character ...

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Interview

David Weiss: In Celebration of Endangered Species

Read "David Weiss: In Celebration of Endangered Species" reviewed by Fiona Ord-Shrimpton


David Weiss and his mini big band of jazz chameleons are a ready example of how to concentrate at OCD levels to perfect musical things of beauty that stand the test of time, repeatedly. Many have focused a hell of a lot more than 10,000 hours to cultivate this sound, and some have overcome myriad adversities to present it. Playing the music of Wayne Shorter, in any way other than that of Wayne Shorter might burn a few eyebrows in ...

7
Album Review

David Weiss: Endangered Species: The Music of Wayne Shorter

Read "Endangered Species: The Music of Wayne Shorter" reviewed by Franz A. Matzner


A solid entry in the ongoing resurgence of focus on Wayne Shorter's music, David Weiss' Endangered Species: The Music of Wayne Shorter is immediately notable for the all-star cast that comprises the 12-piece ensemble and the fact that it was recorded live, enabling the group to interact freely and deliver a potent mix of precision and vibrant energy.Timed to coincide with Shorter's 80th birthday, the album samples music from the full range of Shorter's career, providing an overview ...

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6

Performance / Tour

World-Renowned SMOKE Jazz Club Announces November Concert Schedule Including Three Virtuosic Trumpeters: Nicholas Payton, David Weiss And Jeremy Pelt

World-Renowned SMOKE Jazz Club Announces November Concert Schedule Including Three Virtuosic Trumpeters:  Nicholas Payton, David Weiss And Jeremy Pelt

Source: AMT Public Relations

Rated the #1 Jazz Club in New York City (Secret NYC), Smoke Jazz Club presents some of today’s top trumpeters and saxophonists to the stage during November. The month begins with the return of three saxophonists: acclaimed alto Charles McPherson and his Quintet (Nov 1-5), young rising star Sarah Hanahan and her Quartet (Nov 8), and a double dose of tenor saxophone when legendary George Coleman joins fellow reedman Sean Lyons and his momentous Quintet(Nov 15). The latter part of ...

1

Performance / Tour

The David Weiss Sextet CD Release Celebrations For When Words Fail

The David Weiss Sextet CD Release Celebrations For When Words Fail

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

CD RELEASE CELEBRATIONS! FOR THE DAVID WEISS SEXTET - WHEN WORDS FAIL Available NOW on Motema Music JUNE 22 - MARLBORO, NY @ THE FALCON David Weiss (trumpet), Myron Walden (alto sax), Ben Wendel (tenor sax), David Bryant (piano), Luque Curtis (bass), Jonathan Barber (drums) JUNE 25 - NYC @ SMOKE JAZZ & SUPPER CLUB ONE NIGHT ONLY, sets at 7, 9 & 10:30 PM David Weiss (trumpet), Myron Walden (alto sax), Jimmy Greene ...

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Recording

Available Today: The David Weiss Sextet - "When Words Fail," On Motema Music!

Available Today: The David Weiss Sextet - "When Words Fail," On Motema Music!

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Available NOW on Motema Music, May 20, 2014 Reassembled after ten years, The David Weiss Sextet delivers a brilliant set of music that serves as a beacon of musical excellence, and a reflection on a year of loss CD RELEASE CELEBRATION - JUNE 25 AT SMOKE JAZZ AND SUPPERCLUB, NYC When Words Fail Features: David Weiss- Trumpet, Marcus Strickland - Tenor Saxophone, Myron Walden - Alto Saxophone, Xavier Davis - Piano, Dwayne Burno - Bass, E.J. Strickland - Drums “A ...

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Recording

The David Weiss Sextet - When Words Fail Available On Motema Music, May 20, 2014

The David Weiss Sextet - When Words Fail Available On Motema Music, May 20, 2014

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Reassembled after ten years, The David Weiss Sextet delivers a brilliant set of music that serves as a beacon of musical excellence, and a reflection on a year of loss Featuring: David Weiss - Trumpet, Marcus Strickland - Tenor Saxophone, Myron Walden - Alto Saxophone, Xavier Davis - Piano, Dwayne Burno - Bass, E.J. Strickland - Drums “Best known for the gleaming authority and professionalism he brings to all his endeavors, as well as his entrepreneurial spirit, Weiss has carved ...

Recording

Motéma Music Set To Release David Weiss Endangered Species: The Music Of Wayne Shorter

Motéma Music Set To Release David Weiss Endangered Species: The Music Of Wayne Shorter

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

DAVID WEISS ENDANGERED SPECIES: THE MUSIC OF WAYNE SHORTER - Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola Available August 13, 2013 David Weiss - Conductor & Trumpet; Tim Green - Alto Sax, Marcus Strickland - Tenor & Soprano Sax, Ravi Coltrane - Tenor Sax, Norbert Stachel - Baritone Sax & Bass, Clarinet; Diego Urcola & Jeremy Pelt - Trumpet; Joe Fiedler & Steve Davis - Trombone; Geri Allen - Piano; Dwayne Burno - Bass; E.J. Strickland - Drums. CD Release Celebration at ...

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Recording

David Weiss - Snuck out (Sunnyside, 2011)

David Weiss - Snuck out (Sunnyside, 2011)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland

Trumpeter David Weiss and his band Point of Departure (named after a famous Andrew Hill album) look to the inside/outside music of the mid to late 1960's as an inspiration and bring that aesthetic into the present with the second in a series of live albums. Recorded at the Jazz Standard in New York City, Weiss' group features JD Allen on tenor saxophone, Nir Felder on guitar, Matt Clohesy on bass and Jamire Williams on drums. This album features five ...

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Radio

The Jazz Session #277: David Weiss

The Jazz Session #277: David Weiss

Source: AAJ Staff


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Radio

The Jazz Session #187: David Weiss

The Jazz Session #187: David Weiss

Source: AAJ Staff


137

Recording

David Weiss and Point of Departure - Snuck in (2010)

David Weiss and Point of Departure - Snuck in (2010)

Source: Something Else!

By PicoWe introduced the master trumpeter Weiss on this space as the leader of the talent laden New Jazz Composer's Octet and he's shepherded this project through five releases. The NJCO represents just a slice of the long and varied career of this Queens, NY native. Having working with heavies such as Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Jaki Byard, Jimmy Heath, Fred Frith, Henry Kaiser, Charles Tolliver and even Ray Charles, Weiss has mastered jazz of all stripes and ...

140

Performance / Tour

Giving a Great 1960s Jazz Album Its Groove Back

Giving a Great 1960s Jazz Album Its Groove Back

Source: Michael Ricci

Jazz repertory has a reputation for bigness. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is an institutionally supported big band, as were some other noble past endeavors. But theres another, leaner tier of jazz repertory, the product of musicians consumed by a labor of love, or maybe a love of labor. Either way, David Weiss is one of those. Mr. Weiss, a trumpeter, arranger and composer, leads a handful of groups that explore overlapping areas of interest: chiefly 1950s hard bop ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Wake Up Call

Ropeadope
2017

buy

When Words Fail

Motéma Music
2014

buy

Venture Inward

Posi-Tone Records
2013

buy

Endangered Species:...

Motéma Music
2013

buy

Snuck Out

Sunnyside Records
2012

buy

Moving Pictures...

Savant Records
2012

buy

Loss

From: When Words Fail
By David Weiss

Nellie Bly

From: Endangered Species
By David Weiss

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saxophone, tenor

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