Search - Walt Weiskopf :: Sleepless Nights

Walt Weiskopf offers up yet another great feast!

Jim McFalls (cricket8@ix.netcom.com | Baltimore, MD | 02/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Walt Weiskopf's "Sleepless Nights" CD leaves one wondering why the jazz world doesn't hear more about this accomplished composer and tenor player. He spent the 1980's as a staple in the big bands of Buddy Rich, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and Frank Sinatra before starting his own quartet at the end of that decade. Walt's tenor voice is absorbing, to say the least, running the spectrum from beautifully lyrical ("With You, With Me") to New York hardcore at its absolute zenith ("Jazz Folk Song"). He continues to surround himself with superb musicians such as Andy Fusco on alto; Conrad Herwig, trombone (astounding playing on "Inner Loop"); his brother Joel on piano; James Genus on bass; and Billy Drummond, drums. This combination proves to be formidable indeed. Following closely on the heels of his 1996 nonet release "Song For My Mother," this latest offering is a textbook example of a modern jazz sextet. Gerry Teekens and the rest of the folks at the Criss Cross label are, I'm sure, ecstatic to to be associated with such talent. Walt's "Sleepless Nights" has no equal."

Straight-Ahead Jazz at its best

Jim McFalls (cricket8@ix.netcom.com | 06/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Amid the watered down jazz the public is often exposed to through the big labels, there are men such as Walt Weiskopf who play with the no nonsense intensity reminiscent of Coltrane. Sleepless Nights is no exception as one can hear from the start with the dizzying (and extremely difficult) opener on Inner Loop. Although he does not share the noteriety of other jazz players, Sleepless Nights only reaffirms his place in jazz history."