Two time Shifting Grantee Dan Weiss has has been hailed as one of the top five jazz
drummers in The New York Times, and his large ensemble recording Fourteen made
their top ten list of the best records of 2014. Weiss’s innovative drumming and forward
thinking compositions have been pushing musical limits for decades.
Weiss's intense study of jazz, classical Indian, contemporary classical, West African,
and metal sets a musical platform that creates a sound that transcends conventional
style or genre. His compositional trademarks are angular yet emotive melodies; long
rhythmic cycles native to many non-western music, complex through-composed drum
parts, and melodic shapes drawing directly from the raga system found in Indian
classical music.
With his trio, which includes Jacob Sacks and Thomas Morgan, he’s released three
records entitled, 'Now Yes When', 'Timshel', and 'Utica Box' which have been critically acclaimed for
their unique approach to song structure and endless creative improvisation. This band
has toured Europe, The United States, and Puerto Rico.
Weiss also leads his unique sixteen piece large ensemble that features some of NYC’s
most gifted musicians including Miguel Zenon and Jen Shyu. The two albums
'Fourteen' (2014) and 'Sixteen: Drummers Suite' (2016) released on the Pi record label
have made numerous critic polls. Using rhythmic phrases of legendary jazz drummers
as a launching point, Weiss uses innovative jazz orchestration that echoes the
experimental works of Archie Shepp’s 1970s spiritual jazz protest music and the
spiritual jazz work of Alice Coltrane, where the use of electronics and non-traditional
jazz instruments weave together to form a uniquely singular sound.
His latest project 'Starebaby' blends metallic jazz, prog and post rock that melds deep
sophistication with visceral impact. The band has been featured in The New York Times
and will be putting out their 2nd record in September of 2020.