Trumpeter, composer, and bandleader David Weiss continues his mission to push the bebop tradition forward with the latest release from his dynamic Sextet, The Other Side of the Mountain. While Weiss has led several notable ensembles over the past three decades—including the all-star collective The Cookers—this Sextet remains his most personal and adventurous outlet.
Featuring a blend of long-time collaborators like alto saxophonist Myron Walden and drummer EJ Strickland, along with rising voices such as tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover and pianist David Bryant, the group strikes a compelling balance between deep-rooted jazz language and forward-thinking improvisation. Bassist Matt Clohesy rounds out the ensemble, anchoring the intricate rhythmic interplay.
The album's tracklist comprises five original compositions by Weiss and two tributes to jazz masters: Slide Hampton’s “The Mirror” and Freddie Hubbard’s “One for Bu.” Pieces like “Resilience (for George)” and “With Gratitude (for Wayne)” pay homage to jazz greats George Cables and Wayne Shorter, combining reverence with innovation. “Rebop” and the title track, “The Other Side of the Mountain,” showcase Weiss's ability to craft intricate, emotionally resonant themes that challenge and inspire the soloists.
Praised by JazzTimes for "innovating while drawing from tradition," and described by DownBeat as a collection where “harmonies shift in unsettled patterns” and “the soloists pitch their virtuosity in search of an elusive place they can call home,” this album captures the essence of modern post-bop.
The Other Side of the Mountain is not just a continuation of bebop’s legacy—it’s a bold reimagining, proving that new stories can still be told within its evolving language.
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