Jazz Publicity Services, Brooklyn NY
Press
Michael Weiss
Press Reviews
What the Critics Say:
“Pianist Michael Weiss' Soul Journey shows contemporary writers and players can play mainstream jazz that's forceful, distinctive and exciting. His pieces are smartly crafted, with equal emphasis on collective sections and individual moments. The music on Soul Journey has warmth, integrity and above all, originality.” — Ron Wynn, JazzTimes
“Suave, swinging and exuberant ... deft, harmonically-rich, rhythmically neck-snapping arrangements and free-spirited yet tightly drawn, well-meshed performances.” — Michael Fremer, Analog Planet
“Soul Journey is terrific. The work is majestic, brash, and dynamic throughout. All compositions and arrangements are by Michael, and the playing is spectacular and supersized, with zero fat.” — Marc Myers, JAZZWAX
“It’s not often that you find jazz compositions of the caliber that Michael Weiss offers up on Soul Journey.” — Chris Hovan, All About Jazz
“Weiss has a rich palette of composing devices at his command, and his ebullient piano constantly buoys this recording.” — James Hale, DownBeat Magazine
“The songs simply smoke.” — Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
“Weiss is a nimble and inventive keyboard artist who couldn’t play an inelegant note if he wanted to.” — Howard Reich, The Chicago Tribune
Michael Weiss is a conscientious pianist with a firm foothold on modern jazz traditions." — Nate Chinen, The New York Times
“Michael Weiss [and his quintet] navigated Weiss originals with shifting Latin rhythms and gorgeous harmonies with relaxed old-master intensity." — Ted Panken, DownBeat Magazine
“Through the years [Weiss has] matured into his own man within this rich genre, both as pianist and composer. It was literally one of the best sets I’ve heard all year.” — Ira Gitler, Jazz Inside
“A multi-talented player capable of undertaking any style or genre” — Chris Hovan, All About Jazz
“Mr. Weiss has the charging, heavily rhythmic side of bebop playing under his fingers, and he can focus the intensity in a tune as well as any pianist in mainstream jazz.” — Ben Ratliff, New York Times
“One of the most fluent and flexible pianists of his generation.” — Mark Stryker, BMI Music World
“His solos were rollicking or romantic as the situation required, and always arrived at fresh voicings for their chordal summations.”
— Bob Blumenthal, The Boston Globe
“Combines the wonder of spontaneity with a workmanlike acknowledgment of his materials: art and craft in delightful balance."
— Neil Tesser, The Chicago Reader
