David Weiss (musician)

David Weiss

David Weiss Nice, The Cookers at Nice 2016
Background information
Born (1964-10-21) October 21, 1964[1]
New York, New York
Origin New York, New York
Genres Jazz, Hard bop
Occupation(s) musician, composer, arranger, bandleader
Instruments trumpet
Years active 1986–present
Labels Motéma Music
Sunnyside Records
Fresh Sound Records
Associated acts The New Jazz Composers Octet
Website davidweissmusic.com

David Weiss (born October 21, 1964 in New York City) is a jazz trumpeter and the founder of The New Jazz Composers Octet, a group dedicated to innovation in jazz. He studied music at North Texas State University, graduating in 1986. Returning to New York, he performed with Jaki Byard, Frank Foster, and Jimmy Heath. He continued his studies with trumpeters Tommy Turrentine and Bill Hardman, as well as attending Barry Harris's jazz classes. Eventually leading an "After Hours" session for Harris, he performed with such musicians as Stephen Scott, Winard Harper, Leon Parker, Sam Newsome, Justin Robinson, Rodney Kendrick, Roy Hargrove, Clifford Jordan, Mulgrew Miller, Jeff Watts, Terence Blanchard, Benny Green, and Billy Hart.

In 1990, Weiss started a band with tenor saxophonist Craig Handy. The rest of the band rotated: Benny Green, Stephen Scott, or Dave Kikoski on piano, Christian McBride on bass, and Billy Hart or Jeff Watts on drums. Weiss assisted Handy with the music of The Cosby Mysteries, including arranging the title theme. From there, he began arranging for such artists as Abbey Lincoln, Freddie Hubbard, and Rodney Kendrick, Alto Legacy with Phil Woods, Vincent Herring, and Antonio Hart. He arranged an album called Haunted Melodies in tribute to Rahsaan Roland Kirk, as well as tribute concerts at Birdland for Freddie Hubbard, Booker Little, and Lee Morgan.

Recognizing a dearth of new jazz composition, Weiss founded The New Jazz Composers Octet, which Ben Ratliff of The New York Times immediately hailed as "the sound of the new jazz mainstream."[2] Weiss's compositions on the Octet's second album won him grants from Chamber Music America and Doris Duke Jazz Ensembles Project: New Works Creation and Presentation.

Weiss released his first album as leader, Breathing Room, in 2002, featuring Craig Handy, Xavier Davis, Dwayne Burno, Marcus Strickland, and E.J. Strickland, some of whom are involved with the Octet. It received four star ratings from Downbeat Magazine, JazzWise, and 52nd Street.

Discography

As leader

with The New Jazz Composers Octet
with Point of Departure
with Endangered Species

As sideman

with Tim Hagans & Marcus Printup
with The Cookers

References

  1. ↑ http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=1170
  2. ↑ Ratliff, Ben. "Pop and Jazz Guide." The New York Times, October 2, 1998. http://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/02/movies/pop-and-jazz-guide-128066.html?pagewanted=3

External links

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