David Weiss Sextet

Master trumpeter and composer David Weiss brings his seasoned sextet to the intimate Joe Henderson Lab fresh off the release of his latest Origin Records album Auteur. A Queens native who began on keyboards before switching to trumpet at 13, Weiss has spent decades building musical relationships with jazz luminaries like Freddie Hubbard, Charles Tolliver, and Billy Harper, and those deep connections inform his approach to leading ensembles.

Weiss's sextet represents the culmination of over two decades of collective practice. Drummer E.J. Strickland has anchored the group since Weiss's 2001 leader debut Breathing Room, while alto saxophonist Myron Walden brings twenty years of shared history. The current lineup features tenor saxophonist Ben Solomon, pianist David Bryant, and bassist Eric Wheeler, creating what JazzTimes calls "a powerful, propulsive force" that "innovates while drawing from tradition."

Expected to perform material from Auteur, the evening will showcase Weiss's sophisticated compositional voice rooted in bebop and hard bop traditions. The album features originals like "Resilience (for George)" — a tribute to pianist George Cables — and "The Other Side of the Mountain," inspired by Ron Carter's reflections on perseverance. The repertoire balances accessibility with harmonic sophistication, allowing room for the deep interplay that comes from sustained collaboration.

Weiss talks about bands the way master builders talk about structures — with patience and respect for the long process by which musicians learn each other's time, tendencies, and reflexes. As he notes, "Things happen when you have a band that plays together for a long time." The San Francisco date closes a five-city tour, giving the music time to settle and sharpen before reaching the Bay Area.

Beyond his sextet work, Weiss is known for spearheading The Cookers, an all-star veteran ensemble that may be nearing its final year, making this sextet engagement particularly significant as Weiss focuses his attention on this carefully cultivated group. The Joe Henderson Lab's close quarters and attentive listening culture should provide an ideal setting for the detailed interplay and tonal character this mature working band has developed through years of collective practice.