Michael David Weiss, is a jazz pianist and composer best known for his fifteen-year association with saxophonist Johnny Griffin. Weiss studied at Interlochen Academy and Indiana University, after which he moved to New York. He has forged a solid reputation accompanying jazz luminaries such as Art Farmer, Charles McPherson, Slide Hampton, George Coleman, the Heath Brothers, the Jazztet, Lou Donaldson, Pepper Adams, Bill Hardman, Junior Cook, Wynton Marsalis and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. In 2000 he was the grand prize winner in the BMI/Thelonious Monk Institute's Composers Competition. In 1989, he won second prize in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition and in 2002, Weiss received a composition commission from Chamber Music America. Jazz Times says Weiss "writes with thought-provoking originality". As a soloist and bandleader, Weiss has been featured on television and radio programs such as CBS News Nightwatch, Live from Lincoln Center, Jazzset, Piano Jazz, and the Jazz Piano Christmas Special. In addition to performing, composing and recording, Michael Weiss has been committed to jazz education throughout his career. 

February 10th, 1958 in Dallas (Age 66)