Jazz Articles about Michael Weiss

About Michael Weiss

Catching Up With

Michael Weiss: Building an Identity

by Luke Seabright
May 2, 2018

Michael Weiss is a jazz pianist and composer. His mastery of the hard bop style (he cites Horace Silver as one of his greatest influences), as well as his breadth of experience accompanying some of jazz's most acclaimed soloists, have made him a key figure in the New York jazz scene. His long-standing association with saxophonist Johnny Griffin has shaped him as an artist today. Here he discusses how playing with so many great players over the years has allowed ...

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Interview

Soul Journey: Michael Weiss and the Art of Composition

by C. Andrew Hovan
October 2, 2003

Although he's spent a good deal of his career as a valued sideman, communing with such jazz masters as Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer, and Junior Cook, the time has arrived for pianist and composer Michael Weiss to make his own mark as one of the true original voices on the current jazz scene. In the past few years, this Dallas native has moved beyond his proficiency as an impeccable pianist to hone some considerable chops as a composer, taking home ...

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Album Review

Michael Weiss: Soul Journey

Read "Soul Journey" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan

by C. Andrew Hovan
July 25, 2003

It’s not often that you find jazz compositions of the caliber that Michael Weiss offers up on his own self-produced Soul Journey. But then, you have to consider that the pianist and composer did take home the grand prize in the Monk Institute’s Composers Competition in 2000. The second word in the title is actually a highly accurate clue to the complexity and variety of the forms, moving way beyond the typical methodology of head-solos-head. Furthermore, the front line sparkles ...

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Album Review

Michael Weiss: Soul Journey

Read "Soul Journey" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
February 17, 2003

Pianist Michael Weiss took home the Grand Prize in the 2000 BMI/Thelonious Monk Institute's Composition Competition for his song “El Camino," which is included on Soul Journey. This Latin-flavored mainstream beauty features three-horn harmonies and tasty soloing all around. "El Camino" is a sure winner, but the CD is full of other fine Weiss-composed songs: the upbeat opener, "Optimism"; the brooding title tune; and the brassy "Second Thoughts."The septet takes a very mainstream approach--a three horn front line ...

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Album Review

Michael Weiss: Milestones

Read "Milestones" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan

by C. Andrew Hovan
October 1, 1999

One of many yeoman New York musicians who goes about his work without much fanfare, pianist Michael Weiss is certainly one of the city's finest despite his low profile. Since 1981, he has been an active jazz educator and musician who has spent time with such masters as Art Farmer, Johnny Griffin, and Junior Cook. With only two previous albums under his own name available (one for Criss Cross and another for DIW/Disc Union), the release of this new SteepleChase ...