Michael Weiss Posted October 13, 2019 Posted October 13, 2019 Hello audiophiles, I’m writing because I’m running a Kickstarter campaign to release my recording Soul Journey onto vinyl. It will be cut from the original analog tape by mastering legend Bernie Grundman and pressed at QRP onto two 150 gram LPs. It should be ready for shipping by March or April. The campaign will expire on October 23 at which time I must be fully funded to go forward. Our rewards also include test pressings, the reference lacquer, 1/4 inch 15ips tape and sheet music. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1164645459/michael-weiss-soul-journey-analog-vinyl Soul Journey, a collection of nine original compositions composed for sextet, was recorded and mixed to analog tape by Joe Ferla at Avatar Studios. It was released onto CD in 2003 but this is the first time it will be available on vinyl. The original tapes are in perfect condition and sound great. Personnel: Ryan Kisor – trumpet, flugelhorn Steve Wilson – alto saxophone Steve Davis – trombone Michael Weiss – piano, Fender Rhodes, compositions, arrangements Paul Gill – bass Joe Farnsworth – drums Daniel Sadownick – percussion "about as close to perfection as a recording can get" – Jazz Improv "the songs simply smoke" – Detroit Free Press "This music lives and breathes freshness and exhilarating originality" – Jazz Journal "the music on Soul Journey has warmth, integrity and above all, originality" – JazzTimes "Weiss has a rich palette of composing devices at his command" – Downbeat Please take a look and a listen: You can stream and download three tracks at 96/24 by clicking here. Look for the Download button on the upper right corner of the page. We have only ten days to go! Thanks, Michael Weiss www.michaelweiss.info Since arriving in New York in 1982, pianist, composer, arranger and educator Michael Weiss has forged a formidable career working in the bands of jazz legends Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Frank Wess, Jimmy Heath and the Heath Brothers, Charles McPherson, Jon Hendricks, Lou Donaldson, and the Junior Cook/Bill Hardman Quintet. Weiss' fifteen year association with Griffin, yielded four recordings and annual tours in the USA and around the world. He has also performed with Joe Henderson, George Coleman, Woody Shaw, Clark Terry, Clifford Jordan, Gary Bartz, Phil Woods, Pepper Adams, Joe Lovano, Ron Carter, David Newman, Gerry Mulligan, Nancy Wilson, Randy Brecker, Tom Harrell, Wynton Marsalis, and other high profile jazz recording artists. Weiss also has substantial big band experience: With the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Weiss has logged nearly 700 engagements and two recordings over the past 25 years. He has also toured with the Mingus Epitaph Orchestra and Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. As a band leader, Weiss has headlined at the Village Vanguard, Detroit Jazz Festival, Detroit Symphony Hall, Smithsonian Institution, and major New York venues such as Merkin Concert Hall, the Blue Note, Jazz Standard, Birdland, Bradley’s, Iridium and Sweet Basil. Reviewing his Vanguard debut, the New York Times wrote that Weiss "demonstrated a strong sense of leadership and organization" exhibiting "sensitivity and logic, along with crisp control." Television appearances include CBS-TV’s Nightwatch with Charlie Rose and PBS’ Live From Lincoln Center: The City of Jazz. NPR radio appearances include PianoJazz with Marion McPartland, Making the Music with Wynton Marsalis, Jazzset, and the Jazz Piano Christmas Special. Weiss was a 1989 prizewinner in the Thelonious Monk Institute's International Piano Competition. As a composer Weiss is a two-time Doris Duke/Chamber Music America New Works grant recipient and was the grand prize winner of the 2000 BMI/Thelonious Monk Institute's Composition Competition presented to him by Wayne Shorter. Weiss’ compositions reveal eclectic influences from the worlds of jazz, 20th Century classical and even rock. Weiss focuses on extended forms, thematic development and attention to detail. "A greater percentage of composition in the mix is crucial to keeping Jazz moving forward," explains Weiss. "The solo after solo bit on the same chord changes is becoming a worn out model. This doesn’t mean giving up on jazz’s foundations. I’m interested in incorporating improvised solos within a piece like characters in a play or perhaps as the narrator between scenes. I’m always looking for fresh ways to expand my material.” Weiss' four recordings as a leader on the CrissCross, SteepleChase, DIW and Sintra labels have been hailed by the critics. His 1987 debut, Presenting Michael Weiss was Stereo Review's "Best of the Month." His recording, "Soul Journey" features a collection of nine original compositions for septet. “he can focus the intensity in a tune as well as any pianist in mainstream jazz.” – New York Times "Weiss' shrewd writing and arranging skills are as clearly in view as his sleek piano work" – The New Yorker “The nimbleness of Weiss’ technique was matched by the intellectual heft of his ideas. Weiss’ original compositions conjured a distinct world of sound, a testament to the nature of Weiss’ imagination.” – Chicago Tribune "Weiss is a vital talent with something important to say" – All About Jazz "Weiss’ compositions take on different shapes, great complexity and fresh perspectives" — Washington Post “About as close to perfection as a recording can get....If there is truly justice in our world, this should be a Grammy nominee.” – Jazz Improv "A prodigious bop-and-beyond pianist and composer.... consummate musicianship and alluring improvisations" – The Star Ledger “One of the most fluent and flexible pianists of his generation.” – BMI Music World As a sideman Weiss appears on recordings of Johnny Griffin, Frank Wess, Charles McPherson, Steve Grossman, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Ronnie Cuber, Louis Smith, Dick Oatts, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and others.
Michael Weiss Posted October 15, 2019 Author Posted October 15, 2019 (edited) I forgot to mention that stereo.net member Jerome Sabbagh is acting as my vinyl project manager. Many of you may be familiar with his own Kickstarter vinyl projects. If several people are interested, who are in one location, I'm willing to send several records to one address thereby reducing postage significantly. Feel free to contact me about this. Only seven days to go so please check out the sample tracks.. Edited October 15, 2019 by Michael Weiss grammatical fix
Michael Weiss Posted July 29, 2020 Author Posted July 29, 2020 Released July 15, 2020 Only 500 copies pressed (250 numbered) Michael Fremer's review on analogplanet Available exclusively here: michaelweiss.info 1
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