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

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