Jason Weber has been playing sax since the age of nine. In 1994, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from the University of Wisconsin. Before relocating to southern California in 1997 to further pursue his music career, Weber led an award-winning contemporary jazz group in southeastern Wisconsin. Weber's first solo CD, '1st AVENUE', achieved national recognition by making it to the final round in Musician Magazine's 1997 Best Unsigned Band Contest (top 25 of a nation-wide 3,000 entries).
Jason has since followed up with several solo releases in addition to being a sideman on numerous albums by artists including, Steve Ferrone, Morris Pleasure, Patrick Yandall, Will Sumner, Deborah Flores, Richard Samuels, Michael Rosati & Del Bennett/Chris Kringel among others.
In 1998, he released an album of Christmas music entitled “Snow“. Weber soon followed up with “Leap of Faith” in 1999, “Something Blue” in 2002 & “Can U Feel Me Now?” in 2005. Weber’s most current album “Five” has just been released (May 2009) & features legendary drummer Steve Ferrone, keyboardists Michael Leroy & Tad Sisler, bassists Nathan Brown & Chris Kringel, & guitarist Mike DeRose. All of these albums are currently available via CDBaby.com & Amazon.com, as well as iTunes & many other digital download services.
Upon his arrival to the San Diego and Los Angeles music scenes 11 years ago, Weber quickly made his presence known as an incredibly gifted performer capable of moving audiences not only with finesse, but also with his unbridled passion and intensity. This versatility allows Weber to perform virtually any style of music in any setting including all styles of jazz (Straight Ahead, Smooth, Latin), Rock, Funk, Pop & RnB. Consequently, Weber is in great demand as a sideman and for recording sessions when not performing with his own group. Over the past several years, Weber has taken his talents to perform with or open for international recording artists including: Bobby Caldwell, Boney James, Richard Elliot, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Everette Harp, Brian Auger, Alex Ligertwood, Robert & Dean Deleo (Stone Temple Pilots), Brandon Fields and Steve Ferrone among others. A full-time professional musician for over 16 years (never had a day job!), he is one of busiest musicians around & performs an average of 300 shows per year.
Jason Weber is one of those cool, smooth saxmen who can pour out funk, attitude, and polish all in one note. Five is the latest undertaking by this artist who now has--you guessed it--five albums under his belt, each with its own personality.
I first learned of Weber a while back, just after the 2002 release of his funky Something Blue album. I was so impressed then that I dashed off a note of personal congrats to him (I don’t even think I had started reviewing CDs as a contributing editor or staff writer for any site then). It certainly gives me great pleasure to report here that the man still “has” it and simply lays on the line all of his fine smooth, funk, and bluesy touches, just as he did “way back” in 2002.
Over the years, Weber has established himself well and competent enough to accompany such artists as Gerald Albright, Nathan East, Everette Harp, and Steve Ferrone (who appears with him on this latest endeavor). Still, I think he is long overdue for the personal spotlight he deserves, as is evident in this satisfying production.
The opening track, "U Know U Like It," is a mid-tempo funk groove that gets the motor started on this quality album. Its melody, body, and call to the individual soul of smooth jazz are most evident and becoming. It’s followed by a mellow, tastefully soulful piece called "For The Children." Something about this tune makes its title so very appropriate. It seems so befitting the love and protectiveness that parents and others should feel for the little ones. That may be a lot to read into a track without lyrics, but I certainly would find it easy to set words to this piece that would reflect such sentiment.
As you will quickly note with track 3, "La Isla Bonita," Weber can turn a mean Latin melody, as well. In fact, this is probably my favorite track here. Very rhythmic and alive with all of the exoticism of a Latin island, dancing yourself away to such a peaceful setting with this one shouldn’t be hard at all.
"Some Day" is a tune that especially hints at the soulful stylings of veteran saxman Richard Elliot (in fact, you’ll find a lot of similarities between the two artists in a few other instances, though there are also very distinct differences, to the credit of each). In addition, Weber’s apt handling of Santana’s "Europa" at track 9 and Desiree’s "You Gotta Be" at track 10 are sure to catch and keep any listening ear, and what would a Jason Weber album be without a parting nod to some good ol’ jazz funk as classily displayed on the finale, "D-Funked?"
Weber has obviously devoted himself to stylish compositions that help shape him as a complete jazz entity to fully appreciate. Five goes a long way in helping with this objective. Visit CDbaby.com and give it a listen. It’s good quality stuff that may well work for you as much as it did for me.
Ronald Jackson - Smooth Jazz Vibes
Billing his music as smooth jazz saxophone with attitude, intelligence, & sophistication, is a claim in respect to which, Jason Weber is batting 1000. After his first solo CD achieved national recognition, he relocated to "America's Finest City" where he quickly made his presence felt on the vibrant San Diego scene. In the time since, Weber has gained notoriety as a versatile performer who can move audiences with the passion of his playing, and as rare as it may be, this is a quality that he's fully capable of transferring to disc!! "Five" is his latest and most polished offering to date and from that effort, we have the aptly titled U Know U Like It!!
Ted Hasiuk - Jazz Lynx
This is a fantastic album with quality jazz pieces that will be sure to earn Weber the attention he deserves!
Jaime Habert - San Diego Woman Magazine
Sea World Holiday Show
With Steve Ferrone and Farm Fur
Summerfest 2009
What's up,Kid??? Good to see you're still jammin'!!! You've come a long way since those nights @ Odom's.....Hope to see you when you're in town...Stay Cool,Felix...
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