In 2019, NYC jazz saxophonist and composer Alex Weitz won second place in the prestigious Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition, and his original composition “Rude Awakening” won an ASCAP Herb Albert Composer Award. Originally from Arizona, Alex Weitz was a member of the award-winning Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Band. Alex went on to complete both his undergraduate and graduate studies at the highly acclaimed University of Miami Frost School of Music, where he gained invaluable mentorship and experience as a member of the Henry Mancini Institute Jazz Septet directed by Terence Blanchard. Alex has performed at esteemed venues and jazz festivals around the world including the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Red Sea Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Tucson Jazz Festival, Dizzy's Club, Birdland Jazz Club, Jazz Standard, South Beach Jazz Festival, The Velvet Note, Telluride Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Showcase. In 2015, his original composition "Song for Peace" was licensed as the theme song for a Swedish national documentary. Alex’s latest album “Luma”, was released in 2017 to critical acclaim. His performances are known for their exciting, memorable original compositions, strong group dynamic, and creative reinterpretations of standards. In addition to performing and composing, Alex is also active as an educator and has served on the faculty at the Miami Conservatory of Music, Young Musicians Unite, and Jazz Empowers.