Michael Weiss (pianist)

Michael Weiss (born 1958), is a jazz pianist and composer best known for his fifteen-year association with saxophonist Johnny Griffin.

Weiss was born in Dallas, Texas. After completing a bachelor of music degree from Indiana University School of Music in 1981, Weiss moved to New York City in 1982. He toured that year with singer Jon Hendricks. He has worked with George Coleman, Art Farmer,[1] Johnny Griffin,[2] Slide Hampton, Tom Harrell, Jimmy Heath, Charles McPherson, and Gerry Mulligan.[3]

In 2000 he was the grand prize winner in the BMI/Thelonious Monk Institute's Composers Competition. In 1989, he won second prize in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, and in 2002, he received a composition commission from Chamber Music America.[4]

As a soloist and bandleader, Weiss has been featured on the television and radio programs CBS News Nightwatch, Live from Lincoln Center, Jazzset, Piano Jazz, and the Jazz Piano Christmas Special. In addition to performing, composing and recording, Weiss has been committed to jazz education throughout his career.

Weiss presented a New York tribute concert to Horace Silver, who he credits as "one of his earliest and longest lasting influences."[5]

  1. ^ McNally, Owen (February 26, 1998). "Pianist Michael Weiss' Quartet Set For Main And Hopewell". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  2. ^ Watrous, Peter (August 9, 1990). "Saxophonists Spurred By Moment". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 March 2018. The show opened with Mr. Griffin's regular quartet - Michael Weiss on piano, Dennis Irwin on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.
  3. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Michael Weiss". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  4. ^ Gitler, Ira. "Who's overrated? Who's Underrated?". JazzTimes. Archived from the original on 2011-03-20. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  5. ^ "Finger Poppin- A Tribute To Horace Silver". Theater Mania. Retrieved 9 March 2018.