Peter Martin Weiss


”Bassist Peter Martin Weiss brings an elegant intimacy to the music.”

- Rico Mitchell, Los Angeles Times



Peter studied the guitar and string bass as a teenager, and later attended Berklee School of Music. He received his Bachelors degree from SUNY Oneonta, and a Masters degree from Manhattan School of Music. One of his greatest mentors was Homer Mensch, principal bassist of the NY Philharmonic, with whom Peter studied for six years.


Peter became an established bassist on the New York Jazz scene. Venues include Birdland, Tavern on the Green, The Village Vanguard, a six year engagement at the Blue Note for Saturday brunch, and many live radio broadcasts from the West End Cafe. He also performed with the Bronx Symphony, the Greenwich Village Symphony, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.


As a long-time member of the Etta Jones/Houston Person Quintet, Peter traveled internationally and recorded on over 40 CDs, including his own, Bass Hits, on the Savant record label. The group was like a family, the music swinging and passionate, while performing at premier jazz festivals and concerts. His 30 years of performance credits include playing with Nat Adderly, Ray Bryant, Winard Harper, Michael Carvin, Claudio Roditi, Donald Harrison, Hank Crawford, Richard Wyands, Gloria Lynn, Frank Wess, Grady Tate, Kenny Washington, Melvin Sparks, Lorez Alexandria, and Della Griffin.


Peter met pianist Jane Hastay in San Francisco while on tour and soon after they were married. The couple produced a CD entitled Never Never Land, named after a song that encourages us to follow our dreams.


As an educator, Peter taught for five years at the State University of NY at New Paltz on the jazz faculty. Now living in East Hampton, he currently teaches private guitar and bass lessons, sings with the Choral Society of the Hamptons and performs locally on bass and guitar.


 
 


 

Jane Hastay


“...a labor of love for Jane Hastay, whose beautifully understated and delicate phrasings are the real centerpiece”

- Michael Nastos, All Music Guide


After graduating
from Mills College where she won the Flora Boyd Memorial award for piano performance, Minnesotan Jane Hastay immersed herself in the San Francisco music scene. She toured Europe with Lilith Theater Company, performed with the Brazilian dance troupe Escola Nova de Samba, played in the American Hawaii Cruise Lines Orchestra, accompanied Concord recording artist Denise Perrier, and had a long standing engagement leading her own trio at the Fairmont Hotel.


One night while Jane was playing in a jazz club,  legendary vocalist Etta Jones came in with her bassist Peter Martin Weiss.  A long conversation in an all night diner blossomed into letters and long distance phone calls; the two recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary.


After moving to New York Jane received her Masters Degree in Jazz Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music. She continued her performing career at the Blue Note, The Lenox Lounge, The Five Spot, DeFemios and the New Haven and Newark Jazz Festivals. She toured Japan with the all woman Kit McClure Big Band, and also played with Etta Jones, Michael Carvin, Frank Wess, Houston Person, and Della Griffin. Jane has produced many concerts including an International Women in Jazz-sponsored performance at Saint Peter’s Church, featuring Etta Jones.


Jane is currently the director of music and organist at St. Therese of Lisieux Church in Montauk. In addition to her freelancing as a pianist/vocalist she frequently acts as musical director in cabaret shows and theatrical productions including Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along at the Southampton Cultural Center.

 

Photo by Tim Lee

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