David Weiss
In a jazz climate often dominated by neo-conservative tributes or abstract experimentation, trumpeter, composer, and arranger David Weiss has distinguished himself through a flexible and innovative approach rooted deeply in the jazz mainstream. Born in New York City, Weiss began his formal studies at North Texas State University, graduating in 1986 before returning to New York.
Early in his career, Weiss worked with luminaries such as Jaki Byard, Frank Foster, and Jimmy Heath while studying with trumpet masters Tommy Turrentine and Bill Hardman. Weekly workshops with Barry Harris further shaped his musical development and provided opportunities to perform alongside greats like Walter Davis, Jr. Weiss led the influential "After Hours" jam sessions at the Blue Note, nurturing emerging talents including Stephen Scott, Winard Harper, Leon Parker, and Roy Hargrove.
In 1990, Weiss formed a band with tenor saxophonist Craig Handy, featuring top-tier musicians like Benny Green, Christian McBride, and Billy Hart. Weiss’s arranging talents quickly gained recognition, with over 80 records featuring his work, including projects by Abbey Lincoln, Freddie Hubbard, Phil Woods, Vincent Herring, Antonio Hart, and a Rahsaan Roland Kirk tribute featuring Joe Lovano and others.
In 1996, Weiss founded the New Jazz Composers Octet, a collective praised as "the sound of the new jazz mainstream" (Ben Ratliff, New York Times). The group’s debut, First Steps Into Reality (Fresh Sound Records, 1999), earned critical acclaim for Weiss’s sharp arrangements and trumpet playing. Subsequent recordings, including collaborations with Freddie Hubbard (New Colors, 2001) and further releases Walkin’ the Line (2003) and The Turning Gate (2008), garnered grants from Chamber Music America and the American Composers Forum.
Weiss also leads the David Weiss Sextet, formed in 2000 to explore new compositional ideas. Their albums Breathing Room (2002) and The Mirror (2004) received high praise, with The Mirror hailed as a masterpiece by AllAboutJazz.
In 2006, Weiss created David Weiss & Point of Departure, a quintet inspired by the innovative, genre-blending jazz of the late 1960s. The group’s live recordings Snuck In (2010) and Snuck Out (2011), and studio album Venture Inward (Posi-Tone, 2013) explore this era’s rich musical terrain.
Weiss is also a key figure in The Cookers, a supergroup featuring jazz veterans like Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, and George Cables, dedicated to showcasing powerful original compositions and improvisation. The Cookers have released three acclaimed albums: Warriors (2010), Cast the First Stone (2010), and Believe (2012).
Additionally, Weiss leads Endangered Species: The Music of Wayne Shorter, a 12-piece ensemble devoted to re-imagining the work of one of jazz’s greatest living composers. The group performs music spanning Shorter’s entire career and planned a release in 2013.
David Weiss continues to be a dynamic force in jazz, blending tradition and innovation with skillful leadership, compelling compositions, and masterful trumpet artistry.
In a jazz climate often dominated by neo-conservative tributes or abstract experimentation, trumpeter, composer, and arranger David Weiss has distinguished himself through a flexible and innovative approach rooted deeply in the jazz mainstream. Born in New York City, Weiss began his formal studies at North Texas State University, graduating in 1986 before returning to New York.
Early in his career, Weiss worked with luminaries such as Jaki Byard, Frank Foster, and Jimmy Heath while studying with trumpet masters Tommy Turrentine and Bill Hardman. Weekly workshops with Barry Harris further shaped his musical development and provided opportunities to perform alongside greats like Walter Davis, Jr. Weiss led the influential "After Hours" jam sessions at the Blue Note, nurturing emerging talents including Stephen Scott, Winard Harper, Leon Parker, and Roy Hargrove.
In 1990, Weiss formed a band with tenor saxophonist Craig Handy, featuring top-tier musicians like Benny Green, Christian McBride, and Billy Hart. Weiss’s arranging talents quickly gained recognition, with over 80 records featuring his work, including projects by Abbey Lincoln, Freddie Hubbard, Phil Woods, Vincent Herring, Antonio Hart, and a Rahsaan Roland Kirk tribute featuring Joe Lovano and others.
In 1996, Weiss founded the New Jazz Composers Octet, a collective praised as "the sound of the new jazz mainstream" (Ben Ratliff, New York Times). The group’s debut, First Steps Into Reality (Fresh Sound Records, 1999), earned critical acclaim for Weiss’s sharp arrangements and trumpet playing. Subsequent recordings, including collaborations with Freddie Hubbard (New Colors, 2001) and further releases Walkin’ the Line (2003) and The Turning Gate (2008), garnered grants from Chamber Music America and the American Composers Forum.
Weiss also leads the David Weiss Sextet, formed in 2000 to explore new compositional ideas. Their albums Breathing Room (2002) and The Mirror (2004) received high praise, with The Mirror hailed as a masterpiece by AllAboutJazz.
In 2006, Weiss created David Weiss & Point of Departure, a quintet inspired by the innovative, genre-blending jazz of the late 1960s. The group’s live recordings Snuck In (2010) and Snuck Out (2011), and studio album Venture Inward (Posi-Tone, 2013) explore this era’s rich musical terrain.
Weiss is also a key figure in The Cookers, a supergroup featuring jazz veterans like Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, and George Cables, dedicated to showcasing powerful original compositions and improvisation. The Cookers have released three acclaimed albums: Warriors (2010), Cast the First Stone (2010), and Believe (2012).
Additionally, Weiss leads Endangered Species: The Music of Wayne Shorter, a 12-piece ensemble devoted to re-imagining the work of one of jazz’s greatest living composers. The group performs music spanning Shorter’s entire career and planned a release in 2013.
David Weiss continues to be a dynamic force in jazz, blending tradition and innovation with skillful leadership, compelling compositions, and masterful trumpet artistry.