Alex Weitz

From Wikitia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Alex Weitz
Alex Weitz.jpg
Born
Tucson, Arizona
NationalityAmerican
CitizenshipUnited States
Alma materUniversity of Miami Frost School of Music
Occupation
Years active2013-present
Organization
  • ABW Productions LLC (Owner)
  • Alex Weitz Group (Saxophonist)
  • Young Musicians Unite (Video Editor)
Websitealexweitz.com

Alex Weitz is an American saxophonist, composer, and video producer known for his contributions to the jazz community.[1] He owns ABW Productions LLC, an independent video production company.[2][3][4]

Weitz is a member of the Alex Weitz Group, where he showcases his talents as a saxophonist.[5] Throughout his career, he has performed at various venues and jazz music festivals. Notable credits include albums such as "Chroma" (2013), "Luma" (2017),[6] "Rule of Thirds" (2023), and "Live at Black Cat" (2024).[7]

Early life and education

Weitz was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. He was a member of the award-winning Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Band. He completed his undergraduate studies in jazz saxophone performance and graduate studies in studio jazz writing at the University of Miami Frost School of Music in 2013 and 2015, respectively. During his time at the university, he was a member of the Henry Mancini Institute Jazz Septet under the mentorship of trumpeter Terence Blanchard.

Career

Weitz established the Alex Weitz Group, featuring Tal Cohen on piano, Ben Tiberio on bass, Michael Piolet on drums, and Weitz on saxophone. The group released their debut album, "Chroma," in March 2013, followed by their sophomore album, "Luma," in March 2017.[8] Weitz's third album, "Rule of Thirds," was released in January 2023 at the Tucson Jazz Festival and globally in April 2023. The album features original compositions blending modern jazz, contemporary classical, and math rock styles.[9]

Weitz has performed at venues and jazz festivals worldwide, including Dizzy's Club, the Tucson Jazz Festival, Red Sea Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Birdland Jazz Club, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Jazz Standard, South Beach Jazz Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Showcase.[10] He has also appeared at the Kennedy Center with Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead, the Monterey Jazz Festival with the Frost Concert Jazz Band, and the Arsht Center with George Benson’s “Inspirations.”[11][12][13]

In addition to performing and composing, Weitz is an educator who has served on the faculty at the Miami Conservatory of Music, Young Musicians Unite, and Jazz Empowers.[14] In 2016, Weitz established ABW Productions LLC, a video production company based in New York City. Since September 2020, he has been producing and broadcasting the video for the popular jazz live stream “Live at Emmet’s Place.” Weitz also serves as the video editor at Young Musicians Unite and a video technician at FIRST and AV Workshop.[15][16]

Discography

Albums

  • Live at Black Cat (2024)
  • Rule of Thirds (2023)
  • Luma (2017)
  • Chroma (2013)

Singles

  • Rule of Thirds (2023)
  • Sonata for Fred (2023)
  • The Hive (2023)
  • Harlem Lullaby (2023)
  • Love for Sale (2023)

Awards and recognitions

  • Weitz was awarded the "Pathways to Jazz" grant from Boulder County Arts in 2021, which funded his third studio recording.
  • In 2019, Weitz achieved second place in the prestigious Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition.
  • Weitz was the recipient of an ASCAP Herb Albert Composer Award in both 2019 and 2021.
  • In 2013, Weitz received DownBeat’s Outstanding Undergraduate Soloist Award.
  • In 2014, Weitz's original composition, "Song for Peace," was featured as the theme song for the Swedish documentary "Bettan’s Taxi."

References

  1. ↑ "Alex Weitz". Elmore Magazine. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  2. ↑ "Alex Weitz". www.jazzweekly.com. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  3. ↑ "Alex Weitz Quartet | Album Release | Downtown Tucson Partnership". downtowntucson.org. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  4. ↑ "Alex Weitz Quartet | Timucua". timucua.com. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  5. ↑ Horvát, Adorjan. "Alex Weitz Review: Luma - Staccatofy". www.staccatofy.com. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  6. ↑ Miller-Gould, Dodie (13 June 2017). "Alex Weitz shines on "Luma"". LemonWire. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  7. ↑ "ALEX WEITZ". JazzMusicArchives.com. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  8. ↑ "Alex Weitz | Rule of Thirds Live From the Tuscon Jazz Festival | Single". Outside in Music. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  9. ↑ "Music Review: Alex Weitz – 'Luma'". Blogcritics. 22 February 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  10. ↑ "Alex Weitz, Luma - The Jazz Word". thejazzword.com. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  11. ↑ Jazz, All About (28 March 2017). "Alex Weitz: Luma album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  12. ↑ "Alex Weitz | Luma - Jazz Sensibilities". jazzsensibilities.com. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  13. ↑ "'Rule of Thirds' Alex Weitz". ABC Jazz. 18 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  14. ↑ "Pathways To Jazz Supporting musicians of all ages in education & artistry". Pathways To Jazz. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  15. ↑ "Superb jazz saxophone review: Alex Weitz - Luma". Contemporary Fusion Reviews. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  16. ↑ "Alex Weitz". RS Berkeley Musical Instruments. Retrieved 4 June 2024.

External links

Retrieved from "https://wikitia.com/index.php?title=Alex_Weitz&oldid=203214"