Jazz musician performs at Bear’s

On Thursday, the Bear’s Place Ale House & Eatery entertainment room quickly filled up with jazz patrons who were excited to watch Indiana Jazz alumnus Michael Weiss perform alongside jazz musicians Tom Walsh, Jeremy Allen and Jason Tiemann.

“I come once a month to listen to the jazz music,” Law librarian Richard Vaughan said. “Bear’s is one of the few remaining places in Bloomington that shows live jazz.”

Michael Weiss moved to New York City after graduating from IU and quickly gained success by landing a job with jazz lyricist and singer Jon Hendricks. He then performed with groups such as The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and The Mingus Epitaph Orchestra.

Weiss set himself apart from fellow jazz pianists when “Dance of Passion”, a piece that he arranged all the music for, was nominated for a Grammy. Just a few years later he won the 2000 BMI/Thelonious Monk Institute Composers Competition.

The show at Bear’s opened with the song “Some Other Spring” from Weiss’ album “Power Station” followed by “The Prophecy” from the album “Soul Journey” featuring a bass solo by Allen.

Senior and jazz student Jesse West was especially moved by both Weiss’ and Allen’s performance.

“I think it’s really awesome to have someone of Michael’s caliber to come here,” West said. “Michael is a really exciting player and Jeremy Allen is my bass teacher and it’s cool to see the faculty play.”

Throughout all of the pieces, Weiss was able to stay in harmony with his fellow players while his eyes remained closed. Weiss even moved his head and shoulders away from the piano, continuing to keep his eyes closed and moving his head to the music, appearing to know exactly where the keys were.

After the first set of music, Weiss announced that before the performance occurred, he never had the chance to practice with Tiemann and commended the drummer  on his ability to jump in and play.

“It was cool to see really good communication,” graduate student Jeff McLaughlin said.
Weiss’ work inspires many jazz musicians including senior Trevor Haining, who participated in a workshop with Weiss that was in conjunction with the Jacobs School of Music. Haining said during the workshop Weiss encouraged musicians to listen to other players and make the songs they hear their own.

“He explained and showed how you have to make your phrases sound deliberate,” Haining said. “Watching him was awesome.”

Audience members said they were very excited about having the opportunity to see an acclaimed musician such as Weiss, especially Bloomington resident Margaret Maes.
“The more national acts they can bring here the better,” Maes said.