Michael Weiss

Pianist, composer Michael Weiss, best known for his fifteen year association with saxophonist Johnny Griffin, has forged a solid reputation accompanying jazz luminaries such as Art Farmer, Charles McPherson, Slide Hampton, George Coleman, the Heath brothers, the Jazztet, Lou Donaldson, Pepper Adams, Bill Hardman, Junior Cook, Wynton Marsalis and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. In 1989, he won second prize in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition and in 2002, Weiss received a composition commission from Chamber Music America. Jazz Times says Weiss "writes with thought-provoking originality." As a soloist and bandleader, Weiss has been featured on television and radio programs such as Nightwatch, Live From Lincoln Center. Jazzset, Piano Jazz and the Jazz Piano Christmas Special. In addition to performing, composing and recording, Michael Weiss has been committed to jazz education throughout his career. His newest recording, Soul Journey, features nine original compositions composed for septet. The Detroit Free Press said of it, "the songs simply smoke."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~