tag:deborahweisz.com,2005:/blogs/news-info?p=2News/Info2022-07-12T13:13:42-04:00Deborah Weiszfalsetag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/70129742022-07-12T13:13:42-04:002023-10-16T10:57:14-04:00Live Music<p>Hello... is that title "Live" as in, in-person music? Or is it "Live" as in to live music? Both definitions are appropriate again in the life of this musician. To say that playing "live" with other musicians again has been just amazing is a statement that mere words do not qualify!</p>
<p>Covid 19, and the pandemic created as a result, has taken much from everyone and affected every human on the planet. But to be "living" music as an in-person art form again, with audiences and the unique give and take that this combination delivers, is beyond wonderful. </p>
<p>In more than one way I feel more fully "alive" in music again. During the past-year, with the ups & downs in the working life of many musicians, I decided to take a non-music job (remote office work) for the first time in many, many years. I did this to earn some extra income with a job that still gave me freedom to be a musician, mostly... The job did just that, and gave me enough freedom to still live most of my musical life. This non-music job is over for me now, and it has taken me some time to let go of the mindset that I created in order to "survive" being so busy for that entire year... so much so that I did not even have time to think... much less engage on a regular basis in the <strong>ongoing thought process</strong> that is part of "living" music every day.</p>
<p>There were many times, over the past year, where I was sad at what I had to do to "survive", yet I willingly chose to do this non-music work and am grateful for the opportunity I was given. Sometimes you go through a challenging time in order to more fully appreciate and discover more of who you are. Being more fully "alive" in music again definitely helps me with this perspective.</p>
<p>Regarding the <strong>bold-face type</strong> for "ongoing thought process" above... Music is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week life experience for me. This ongoing process is what brings forth ideas and concepts that create the music I play everyday. Time and space is needed for this "process" everyday. I am truly grateful for this and very grateful for all the opportunities that have brought me back to this "space" in my life to "live" music more fully again.</p>Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/65816892021-03-22T16:43:10-04:002021-03-22T16:43:10-04:00CD Releases (both postponed & new) with Schapiro 17 & all future concerts postponed till after the pandemic!!!<p>As time has passed, during the pandemic, many people ask about when will we, as musicians, be performing live again. In time... that is the only answer I have at the moment. So much has happened, but as a community I know that for myself, and all the musicians I know, the music continues. Looking forward to playing with other musicians and for in-person audiences when it all falls into place.</p>
<p>Stay safe everyone!</p>
<p>Deborah</p>Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902422017-02-05T19:00:00-05:002017-02-05T22:44:54-05:00Music, Music, Music
<p>As I look forward to the week ahead of me I am amazed at what I get to do for a living!</p>
<p>Performing the music of other composers (in their ensembles) is one of the perks of being a musician.</p>
<p>Performing my own music with the wonderful musicians I am so blessed to have the opportunity to play with is really the ultimate goal of anyone who is a band leader. </p>
<p>Guess I am doubly blessed this week!</p>
<p>I mentioned the word "opportunity" in my previous post... well I am very grateful for the musical opportunities I have this week.</p>
<p>All the details are on the Calendar page... check it out and come to the gigs if you can!</p>
<p>Thanks for stopping in,</p>
<p>Deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902412017-01-04T19:00:00-05:002017-01-05T03:24:42-05:00Music & Skiing & Opportunities
<p>Happy New Year!!!</p>
<p>2017 brings some interesting music, some skiing, some travel, and other opportunities with it for me.</p>
<p>I am starting my second season as a part-time ski instructor - for me skiing is very much like music.</p>
<p>I will be performing often this year with Cynthia Hilts' Lyric Fury - an ensemble that I have been fortunate to perform with for over 20 years. A really lovely musical gift in my life.</p>
<p>I will be traveling quite a lot this coming Winter/Spring both for work and play, it's always nice when I can combine the two!</p>
<p>These and other opportunities have the potential to change my life. That's what it is really all about, isn't it? Having an opportunity to do something... to be given opportunities in life, to learn, to grow... It's part of our process.</p>
<p>For those of you who have stopped by and read this, and to all my family & friends, I wish you a 2017 filled with opportunities!</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902402014-05-12T20:00:00-04:002016-07-12T12:53:34-04:00rehearsing...
<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>A few thoughts the day before my final rehearsal with my band for the upcoming gig at The Tea Lounge (see Calendar listing for the details).</p>
<p>The process of rehearsing is different with every band that I play with. And, for myself, the process of rehearsing my own big band has evolved over time. It's interesting to me what musicians respond to… whether its how the music is copied, how I am conducting (ouch!), or just the response when I ask for a specific focus in their interpretation of the music. I still hear Manny Albam saying (at a BMI reading session years ago) that "if its not in the parts, it won't get played" Well, that is true, to some extent, but both as a musician and as a composer/band leader I have found that sometimes you simply need time to discover the music, and that requires time rehearsing and playing together. And the time that I have spent wasn't just for my band, it was for me too! </p>
<p>Suffice to say I am very grateful that these wonderful musicians have been willing to give me their time to discover my music.</p>
<p>Onward...</p>
<p>deborah</p>
<p>P.S. For those of you in the NYC area, come to the gig to hear the results...</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902392013-11-23T19:00:00-05:002016-07-12T12:53:34-04:00Thankful thoughts - The real joy of writing music...
<p>Ah yes… the real joy of writing music… finishing a new piece and getting to hear it for the first time!</p>
<p>Had a wonderful rehearsal with my big band last Friday and it was nice to hear what I have been working on for the past month… Finding time to write has been supremely challenging... on trains, in between students, after gigs… (though no complaints… it is good to be a busy, working musician) But I did finish, and I look forward to premiering the new piece at my upcoming gig on Dec. 2nd at The Tea Lounge in Brooklyn, NY. (all the details are on my calendar page).</p>
<p>I have one more rehearsal, next week, with this wonderful group of musicians that have agreed to play my music, and I am ever so grateful to live in a city where such amazing talented musicians are available (and willing) to explore my own musical journey with me. The music just exists in my head till they play it. As Ellington wrote… "I am Just a Lucky So & So" </p>
<p>Feeling very grateful for this particular blessing in my life.</p>
<p>Happy Thanksgiving!</p>
<p>deborah</p>
<p>P.S. For those of you in the NYC area, hope to see you at the gig</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902382012-08-20T20:00:00-04:002016-07-12T12:53:34-04:00Fall news
<p>Hello Everyone,</p>
<p>Hope everyone's summer has been going well. I was out in the southwest, connecting with some wonderful local musicians in Phoenix while working on the family home with my sister. Then had a bit of a "road trip," which was a lot of fun & inspiring too. Passing through a misty cloud bank while driving on a high-mountain road was especially memorable!</p>
<p>I have just updated the Calendar page of this website with some new gigs/corrected dates, etc... And I am beginning all the preparations for my next gig with my jazz orchestra on October 1st at The Tea Lounge (check the calendar page for the details). So please take a look and come out to the gigs when you can.</p>
<p>One of my Fall projects will be to update this website with new audio and video from my own gigs, so I hope to have something new to listen to/look at for you in the near future! </p>
<p>For now, hope you enjoy the rest of summer and, as always, thank you for checking in and supporting live music!</p>
<p>All the best, </p>
<p>Deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902372012-03-17T20:00:00-04:002022-06-11T16:00:26-04:00Tomorrow night!
<p>Hey Everyone,</p>
<p>Just a few thoughts here...</p>
<p>All the rehearsals are done, the new piece is finished, and the gig is tomorrow night!</p>
<p>How's that for a few thoughts, ha!</p>
<p>The band sounds wonderful and I am truly blessed that these amazing musicians have agreed to play my music & be part of my process in writing a new piece...</p>
<p>I know their names are listed on my calendar page, but I want to share my sincere thanks to all of them here too:</p>
<p>Erica Von Kleist - Lead Alto Sax, Soprano Sax, Flute</p>
<p>Lily White - Alto Sax, Flute</p>
<p>Dimitri Moderbacher - Tenor Sax, Flute, Clarinet</p>
<p>Virginia Mayhew - Tenor Sax, Clarinet</p>
<p>Claire Daly - Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet</p>
<p>Darryl Shaw - Lead Trumpet, Flugelhorn</p>
<p>Eddie Allen, Barry Bryson, David Smith - Trumpet, Flugelhorn</p>
<p>Mike Boscarino - Lead Trombone</p>
<p>Jack Davis, Mike Fahn - Trombone</p>
<p>Dale Turk - Bass Trombone</p>
<p>Bruce Arnold - Guitar</p>
<p>Ratzo Harris - Bass</p>
<p>Rob Garcia - Drums</p>
<p>Most of these wonderful musicians have their own bands and websites, so I highly encourage you to check them out and go hear them play at the gigs that they are leading too.</p>
<p>Hope to see you at the premiere gig for the Deborah Weisz Jazz Orchestra, tomorrow night at The Tea Lounge!</p>
<p>deborah</p>
<p>P.S. I will be posting some audio (and maybe some video too) on this website of the concert, so check back in.</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902362011-12-25T19:00:00-05:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00Happy Holidays! Up next... the big band!
<p>Happy Holidays everyone!</p>
<p>I am back in the large ensemble writing groove and have booked the first concert gig for my jazz orchestra in March 2012. (See calendar for details). Maybe it was my Jazz Arranging students at WCSU that inspired me, or perhaps it was just time for me to dive back into the insanity that comes with the desire to write for large ensembles (plus scheduling all the rehearsals and hiring the musicians too!). Well... onwards! I am looking forward to performing some older pieces as well as something new that I have been working on. </p>
<p>I also hope to have some smaller ensemble gigs (the Trio) in 2012 as well, so looking forward to that too.</p>
<p>On a more somber note, I just want to acknowledge, here, the recent death of Bob Brookmeyer. A brilliant jazz composer and valve trombonist. I had the great fortune to study (briefly) with him. I also had the wonderful opportunity, for many years, to be part of the BMI Jazz Composer's Workshop, which was created by Bob Brookmeyer, along with composer Manny Albam and jazz journalist Burt Korall. Thank you Bob, for a lifetime of musical inspiration. My sincere condolences to his family and close friends.</p>
<p>Respectfully,</p>
<p>deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902352011-07-17T20:00:00-04:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00It's been awhile...
<p>Hey Everybody!</p>
<p>Slowly updating this website... more to come.</p>
<p>Recent news is about the upcoming gig I have on Tuesday, July 26th with my Trio - featuring Ratzo Harris on Bass & Eric Halvorson on Drums. (for more info check the Calendar page)</p>
<p>The past two years I have spent some time writing/rehearsing with this new version of my Trio.</p>
<p>The upcoming gig will feature some old & new music and some re-worked versions of tunes I have performed with my quintet. Looking forward to playing in NYC and a possible new recording early next year.</p>
<p>Thanks, as always, for checking in. </p>
<p>Deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902342009-05-31T20:00:00-04:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00Summer news
<p>Hey Everyone,
It's been a busy Spring semester for me with my teaching work for WCSU, MSJA, NY Pops, and in my private studio. All in all, very inspiring to work with these wonderful young musicians!
Onward... this summer will find me performing with the Diva Jazz Orchestra, Melba Joyce, Roswell Rudd's Trombone Tribe, and with 79 other trombonists for a piece called "Orbits" at the Guggenheim Museum here in NYC. (all gig details are listed on my calendar page). So, as usual for me, a diverse round-up of music.
For now, I am working on new music & looking forward to possibly recording in the Fall or early next year with my own band. More info to come about this and gigs in the future.
Thanks again for checking in.
Have a wonderful Summer!
deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902332009-01-06T19:00:00-05:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00Happy New Year!
<p>Some news for the new year!
For those of you who are fans of the Jamie Begian band, the concert that was scheduled on Jan. 23rd was cancelled by the venue. Jamie tells us that we will be performing later this year, with a CD release of his new recording of the band. I will post those dates when I get them.
As for my own groups, I have been rehearsing some new music and will book some dates soon.
In the meantime I have posted dates that I will be playing with the Diva Jazz Orchestra and Roswell Rudd's Trombone Tribe.
Thanks for checking in.
Wishing you all the best in 2009!
deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902322008-12-14T19:00:00-05:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00Happy Holidays!
<p>Hello again,
Just wanted to say that I wish everyone a very happy holiday season.
and...
an abundance of peace, joy, health, prosperity and lots of music!!!
All the best,
deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902312008-11-01T20:00:00-04:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00Monday night music, Berlin & Amsterdam
<p>Hey Everybody!
Just a note to say how excited I am about this week's performances! Tomorrow night I will be performing with my trio, featuring Ratzo Harris on Bass and Eric Halvorson on Drums, at Yippie's Cafe. I have been writing some new music, just with this particular group in mind, so it will fun to "air" it out at the gig. Please come by and listen if you can.
Then... I leave for Berlin on the night of the Presidential Election and am hoping for some really good news when I arrive there on Wednesday! (Go Obama!!!!) I am traveling to Berlin to perform at the Berlin Jazz Festival with Roswell Rudd's Trombone Tribe Band, which features Roswell, Steve Swell and myself on Trombones, Bob Stewart on Tuba, Henry Grimes on Bass, and Barry Altschul on Drums. It is a very fun band and I feel blessed to work with these marvelous musicians! After Berlin, we will travel to Amsterdam for a performance at Bimhuis. So it will be a short tour, but some great gigs.
All in all, a week of music that I am very happy to be playing!
Hope this finds all of you well and enjoying life.
Thanks for checking in,
deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902302008-08-12T20:00:00-04:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00Fall news!
<p>Hey Everybody!
Just a brief update and some news...<br>
This past Spring I started teaching at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) in Danbury, CT, as adjunct faculty; teaching a basic music theory course and jazz combo. Well, this coming school year I will be teaching Jazz Trombone and Jazz Combo. I am very much looking forward to this opportunity as I have enjoyed working at WCSU, not just recently, but in the past when I have done clinics/workshops there for the Jazz program. It is a wonderfully open, creative music program. Onward!
Fall performances will include Roswell Rudd's Trombone Shout Band, MCW Festival in Hartford, Diva Jazz Orchestra, and my own groups, so check out my calendar page and come by and listen!
Finally, I am in the process of updating this website. I have posted an updated bio/CD list and will be working on other areas of the website as well. If anyone is looking for press info, please contact me directly, for now. Hopefully I will have that section updated soon as well.
As always, thanks for checking in and I hope that you all have had a wonderful Summer!
All the best,
Deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902292008-05-25T20:00:00-04:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00Summer happenings...
<p>Hey Everyone!
Just wanted to share some news about some wonderful projects that I am going to be involved with this summer. First, I travel up to Accord, NY tomorrow to perform and record with Roswell Rudd's Trombone Shout Band this week. The group features Roswell Rudd, Steve Swell, and myself on Trombone, Bob Stewart on Tuba, Henry Grimes on Bass, and Barry Altschul on Drums. We have been rehearsing this past Spring and I am looking forward very much to the upcoming performances and the recording.
Later this summer I will be recording the music of composer Jamie Begian. For those of you who have come to some of his concerts you have probably heard the suite of music he wrote for the trombone section called <i>Taylorations</i>. Really wonderful music... and it will all be recorded in August, along with some other new compositions for the band that Jamie has written over the past few years.
During the summer I hope to perform with my own quartet and will post those dates on my calendar as they come in. In the meantime I am writing some new music for the group and am beginning to think about the next recording for myself... Onward!
Hope this finds all of you well and enjoying the start of Summer.
Thanks, as always, for checking in.
All the best,
Deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902282008-02-05T19:00:00-05:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00Lyceum gig, New Review
<p>Hey Everybody!
Just checking in to let you know about a new review for the <i><b>TRIO</b></i> CD by Laurel Gross in February's All About Jazz/NY edition. I have posted a short excerpt on my Reviews/Press page.
and...
I am looking forward to performing at the <b>Brooklyn Lyceum</b> next Wednesday, Feb. 13th. Bruce Arnold - Guitar, Ratzo Harris - Bass and Eric Halvorson - Drums will be joining me. We will perform music from the <i><b>Grace</b></i> and <i><b>TRIO</b></i> CDs, plus new music that I have written in the past two months and some music from other members of the band as well. Please view my Calendar page for all the details.
If you haven't been to hear music at the Brooklyn Lyceum yet, check it out. It is an interesting venue to perform in as it used to be a bathhouse!
For those who are interested, I will have all three of my CDs there available for purchase.
Come on down and listen if you can, and thanks for checking in.
All the best,
Deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902272007-12-16T19:00:00-05:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00New Review - New Dates
<p>Hi Everyone,
Please check out the new <b><i>TRIO</i></b> CD review/excerpt on the Press/Reviews page from AllAboutJazz.com by Larry Taylor.
You can click on the link provided there if you would like to read the whole review.
Also... I just updated my calendar with a few new gigs for early next year.
Thanks again for checking in!
Happy Happy & Merry Merry to all!
All the best,
Deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902262007-11-11T19:00:00-05:002020-06-30T00:11:43-04:00Quartet gig at The Garage + new TRIO CD review in Cadence
<p>Hey Everybody!
Just a short notice about my upcoming gig at The Garage on Tuesday, Nov. 13th. I will be performing with Bruce Arnold - Guitar, Ratzo Harris - Bass, and Eric Halvorson - Drums. Both Bruce and I have written some new music that will be premiered at the gig. Come on down and listen if you are in town and out late tomorrow night. (details on Calendar page).
Also, you can read an excerpt of a very nice review that David Dupont wrote about the <b>TRIO CD</b> on my review page here at my website. If you have not checked out Cadence Magazine before, it is a great source for learning about all kinds of improvised music. They review a lot of groups and I have been introduced to artists that I had never heard about, before reading about them in Cadence...
Definitely worth checking out (there is a link to the magazine posted with the review excerpt).
Regarding future gigs...
I will be filling in the calendar with some more dates as soon as I receive the information for these upcoming projects. So thanks again to those of you who keep checking in with this website.
Happy and Healthy Holidays to all!
deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902252007-10-16T20:00:00-04:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00Trio - Once Download of the Day
<p>AllAboutJazz.com is featuring <i>Trio - Once</i> from my new <b><i>TRIO</i></b> CD at the following link:<br>
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/jazzdownload.php?id=2762
This is a free download. You will have to fill out a form and sign up as an AAJ member in order to access this download.</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902242007-06-09T20:00:00-04:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00Quartet gig at The Stone + new MySpace Page
<p>Hey Everybody,
If you have looked at my Calendar then you know that I am finally (after a long time...) going to play a gig, on June 14th, with my own band. In this case a quartet. Featuring Bruce Arnold - Guitar, Ratzo Harris - Bass & Rob Garcia - Drums. The music will be from both the <i>Grace</i> & <i>TRIO</i> CDs. Plus one new composition that I will be premiering at this concert. I am really looking forward to performing my own music again.
So come out and listen!
Also, I have taken the plunge and decided to put up a MySpace page. My new promo person insisted it was time! HA! You can check it out at http://www.myspace.com/deborahweisz
Thanks, as always, for checking in.<br>Hope to see you on the 14th at The Stone.
Take care,
Deborah</p>
Deborah Weisztag:deborahweisz.com,2005:Post/61902232007-05-11T20:00:00-04:002016-07-12T12:53:33-04:00TRIO CD release date set
<p>Hi Everyone,
June 12th, 2007 is the official release date for my new TRIO CD. Though you can find it online through Cadence & CD Baby (links on the Music/Buy page). I just put some mp3 files up, for listening. Enjoy!
Thanks for checking in!
Deborah</p>
Deborah Weisz