“He can focus the intensity in a tune as well as any pianist in mainstream jazz.” – New York Times   “a nimble and inventive keyboard artist who couldn’t play an inelegant note if he wanted to.” – Chicago Tribune   “One of the most fluent and flexible pianists of his generation.” – BMI Music World   “Weiss has a rich palette of composing devices at his command” – Downbeat   “Warmth, integrity and above all, originality” – JazzTimes   “Combines the wonder of spontaneity with a workmanlike acknowledgment of his materials: art and craft in delightful balance.” – Chicago Reader   “About as close to perfection as a recording can get” – Jazz Improv   “This music lives and breathes freshness and exhilarating originality.” – Jazz Journal     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, The Jazztet, Slide Hampton, Frank Wess, Jimmy Heath Quartet, the Heath Brothers, the George Coleman Quartet, Charles McPherson, Jon Hendricks, Lou Donaldson, Junior Cook/Bill Hardman Quintet, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and Mingus Epitaph Orchestra. Weiss' fifteen year association with Griffin yielded four recordings and annual tours.   He has also performed with Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Clark Terry, Clifford Jordan, Curtis Fuller, Phil Woods, Pepper Adams, Joe Lovano, Ron Carter, David Newman, Gerry Mulligan, Nancy Wilson, Randy Brecker, Tom Harrell, Wynton Marsalis, Gary Bartz, and other high profile jazz recording artists.   As a band leader, Weiss has headlined at the Village Vanguard, the Detroit Jazz Festival, Smithsonian Institution, and major New York venues such as the Blue Note, Jazz Standard, Birdland, Bradley’s, Iridium, Sweet Basil, Smoke and Dizzy's Club CocaCola. 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 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' latest release is Homage, his second for the Cellar Live label. His other recordings as a leader are on the  CrissCross, SteepleChase, DIW and Sintra labels. Weiss also appears on recordings of Johnny Griffin, Frank Wess, Charles McPherson, Steve Grossman, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Ronnie Cuber, Louis Smith and Dick Oatts.   Weiss was the grand prize winner of the 2000 BMI/Thelonious Monk Institute's Composition Competition presented to him by Wayne Shorter. Weiss was also a 1989 prizewinner in the Thelonious Monk Institute's International Piano Competition.   Weiss is deeply committed to jazz education, having held faculty positions at Indiana University, Hartt College of Music and Queens College. In his master classes and residencies, Weiss draws on his long and varied bandstand experience to directly address the standards and performance practices required of a professional jazz musician.