Barnstable-HyannisPatch

10 Questions with Jazz Jam's Bart Weisman

By Jen Villa

June 2011

Cape Cod musician Bart Weisman runs the monthly Jazz Jam at the Island Merchant and is the founder, Executive Producer & Performer for the annual Provincetown Jazz Festival.

What did you dream to be as a kid?

It wasn’t until I was 13 that I saw a drummer playing in a band a few doors up from my house and I just knew I would be playing drums the rest of my life.

How did you get your start in music?

Since I started later than most kids, I practiced many hours and studied with the best teachers I could find in the Washington, DC area, including the Principal Percussionist with the National Symphony Orchestra.

What are some of your favorite career highlights?

I graduated early from high school and studied music in college (I have degrees in Music & Computers). At 18, I auditioned for and secured a spot with the United States Air Force Band, Diplomats. This was a four piece group and we performed for parties and functions and I served under President Carter & Reagan. We would perform at the White House, Vice President's residence (VP Mondale played my drums), Officers Clubs and every major venue in the Washington, DC area.

Bart Weisman playing as a member of the United States Air Force Band, Diplomats.

My Jazz Group in the 90's featured Keter Betts on bass, who worked for 24 years with Ella Fitzgerald. We also backed Rebecca Parris for her Washington, DC debut.

Weisman's Jazz Group in the 90's featured Keter Betts on bass.

I will feature Rebecca in concert on August 3, 2011, 6:00pm at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum as part of the 6th Season of Summer Jazz with Bart Weisman.

How did you end up doing what you're doing now and here on Cape Cod?

My wife Amy Heller is an artist and had been coming to the Provincetown since she was kid. I would spend a week or two and then longer periods of time in the 90’s and then eight years ago, we left Washington, DC and moved to the Cape. Amy went away to college, but this was the first time I had ever lived outside of the DC area.

What's your favorite part of what you do?

I love performing great music across the Cape and every gig (party, wedding, event, nightclub, concert, etc.) is special to me! And I am always working with different musicians and performing all kinds of music so all of the performances are different. And I love playing for special events like a wedding or anniversary party.

What's the biggest struggle you face?

I really have no complaints.

What's the best part about playing/being involved with music on The Cape?

The best part is seeing all of the people who love and support live music on Cape Cod!

What's the worst part about playing/being involved with music on The Cape?

People ask me about all of the driving I do from Provincetown to Falmouth, but I really don’t mind as long as I can get home to see my wife at the end of the night.

What's your favorite local venue to play or enjoy live music?

I have played so many of the restaurants and concert/event facilities from Falmouth to Provincetown and each one is special to me, but Town Hall in Provincetown where we hold the Provincetown Jazz Festival, is a really great venue.

What's one thing people may not know about you?

I love listening to NPR in the car and late at night I sometimes put on some Country Music.