AUGUST 24 • 2023 | 51
programs. It was the largest,
most expansive music school
in the country.
“I started composing
in the mid-1980s and was
motivated when I had my
first recordings as a leader,
deciding I had to have at least
one original composition for
record dates. I had different
kinds of inspiration from the
music I was listening to and
some young players and saw
that my tunes were viable
and successful.
”
Although Weiss has not
been back to Interlochen,
he has kept in touch with
Interlochen trombonist
David Sporny, who helped
introduce Weiss to jazz and
now lives in Massachusetts.
Weiss said Sporny mentored
famous musicians, including
drummer Peter Erskine and
saxophonist Bob Mintzer.
“Interlochen was a very
important time for me, and I
think this is the best jazz festi-
val in the country,
” Weiss said.
“The programmer has great
musical tastes, and everything
that they program is of great
quality and free.
“During the days of the
festival, they do a great job of
honoring all the great Detroit
jazz legends.
“Detroit has one of the
richest jazz legacies in the
country, and it’s great to be
part of that. It’s great to be
reunited with a lot of other
groups that are on the pro-
gram. This is usually when
compatriots get together as
we see each other at festivals
like this.
”
Other Events
As music fans enjoy the
free Detroit Jazz Festival,
there also are many other
opportunities to enhance
entertainment experiences
over the Labor Day
weekend. Four events are
listed below:
• The Michigan State Fair,
being held Aug. 31-Sept. 4
at the Suburban Collection
Showplace in Novi,
features livestock, the
Shrine Circus, music, arts,
contests and food. Tickets
start at $10. (248) 348-
6942. michiganstatefairllc.
com.
• The Romeo Peach
Festival, a tradition
scheduled Aug. 31-Sept.
4, offers many peaches in
various forms as well as
sports activities, arts and
crafts, music and parades.
Prices to be listed.
romeopeachfestival.com.
• Arts, Beats and Eats
presents all kinds of
music, art and food and
asks for food contributions
to serve the area after
the event, which occurs
Sept. 1-4 in Royal Oak.
$7 starting price to enter.
artsbeatseats.com.
• Labor Day Round Up
and Art Fair in Franklin
features a parade, classic
cars, petting zoo, food,
clowns and magicians.
$1.50 basic entrance fee.
fcamichigan.org.
Weiss and Harris
in Nice in 2013
NOVEMBER 14-26 FISHER THEATRE
BROADWAYINDETROIT.COM
GROUPS (10+) BROADWAYINDETROITGROUPS@THEAMBASSADORS.COM
(SUBJECT: MRS. DOUBTFIRE)
JEWISH NEWS
THE DETROIT
MAZEL TOV!
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in the Detroit Jewish News.
Scan the QR code to book:
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• Engagement • Milestone Birthday
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