Composer/pianist Ezra Weiss is “a bold, inspired figure in the contemporary jazz arranging scene.” (DownBeat) He has released seven albums as a bandleader to international acclaim from press and radio. Additionally, Ezra composed the music for the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble’s From Maxville To Vanport and the big band arrangements for Derek Hines’ Long Journey Home, which led to the formation of the Ezra Weiss Big Band. Ezra currently leads his own big band and sextet, performing at major venues throughout the U.S., including several week-long engagements at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club. He further served as arranger for drumming legend Billy Hart, and co-led the Courtney Bryan/Ezra Weiss Jazz Orchestra in NYC. Ezra has won the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award three times and has been listed in DownBeat Critics Polls. He holds degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory and Queens College, and teaches at Portland State University.