Auteur

5-STARS Trumpeter, composer, and bandleader David Weiss (*1964) presents "auteur," the fourth album by his outstanding sextet in the best bebop tradition, captivating from the very first note. This is primarily due to its long-standing lineup, featuring the outstanding Myron Walden, the wonderful Nicole Glover, and the captivating rhythm duo David Bryant, Eric Wheeler, and E.J. Strickland. Weiss composed five of the seven tracks, while the other two are by trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and trombonist Slide Hampton. The opening, with the uptempo number "Too Little, Too Late," is a brilliant effort, with all the wind instruments demonstrating their extraordinary talent. "Resilience" is dedicated to pianist George Cables, where David Bryant, in particular, shines. But even "With Gratitude," dedicated to the late Wayne Shorter, demonstrates the great compositional skill of David Weiss, who emphasizes being particularly strongly influenced by his compositions. Slide Hampton's rapid "One for Bu" is dedicated to Art Blakey and features a magnificent drum solo, while Freddie Hubbard's "Rebop" gives David Weiss the opportunity to present himself as a first-class trumpeter. The detailed liner notes by Aidan Levy, author of the major Sonny Rollins biography published just two years ago, are worth reading.