Biography
Dr. Howard Weiss is a saxophonist and composer from the Chicagoland area. He earned two master degrees from the University of Miami, Fl. one in jazz saxophone and the other in studio composition under the direction of Gary Keller and Gary Lindsay. Howard won a “Downbeat” award for outstanding soloist in the pop/rock/blues category. He studied piano with Chip Stephens and Jeff Laibson. Saxophone and improvisation with Chip McNeill, Ed Calle, Gary Keller, David Liebman, Rick Margitza, and Mark Colby. Jazz composition with Ronald Miller. Classical and twentieth century composition with Erik Lund. Howard was a featured soloist with the Arturo Sandoval quartet. In addition, he has performed with some of the world’s greatest musicians. Performing with Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrencee, Regis Philbin, Ed Calle, Chip McNeill, the Florida Philharmonic with Peter Nero, woodwind chair for the Broadway shows Book of Mormon and Chicago, just to name a few. Howard was also the Musical Director for Celebrity Cruise line, the woodwind specialist for Regent and Norwegian cruise lines. Howard taught a variety of music courses at one of the nation’s largest college, Miami Dade. Howard completed a DMA in jazz studies at the University of Illinois and was the first to academically document the improvisational and mathematical concepts of saxophonist Dr. Ed Calle. Howard actively performs and composes both locally and nationally.
Instructional Areas
Foundations of music III and IV, Music Styles and Analysis, Music Through the Ages and saxophone performance.
Creative Practice and Research Interests
Jazz Improvisation, Composition, Film scoring and multi-media music.
Degrees
B.M., Jazz Studies DePaul University 1994
M.M., Studio Music & Jazz - Instrumentl Performance University of Miami 2001
M.M., Studio Jass Writing University of Miami 2007
Ph.D., Jazz Performance The University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign 2018