Jane Hastay
“…a labor of love for Jane Hastay, whose beautifully understated and delicate phrasings are the real centerpiece.”
– Michael Nastos, All Music Guide
“… with particularly able accompaniment from the nimble-fingered Jane Hastay on piano …” – Robert Hurwitt, SF Examiner
“Hastay packs a punch on the piano keys. It’s shocking that big sound comes from the efforts of such a petite woman.”
– Eileen Casey, Hamptons.com
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, danced with the Brazilian samba 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 a 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 23rd wedding anniversary and share a rare, simpatico rapport on the bandstand.
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, Houston Person and Frank Wess.
Jane is currently the organist, chancel choir and handbell choir master at the historic First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton. She has produced many concerts including an International Women in Jazz-sponsored performance at Saint Peter’s Church in NYC, featuring Etta Jones. Jane’s years of teaching the Yamaha Music Education Method, middle and high school chorus inspire her passion for producing engaging, diverse concerts for music lovers of all ages.
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 Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oneonta and a Master’s 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.
From 1986-1996 Peter was a member of the Etta Jones/Houston Person Quintet. He toured 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, performing at premier jazz festivals and concerts. His 35 years of performance credits include playing with Nat Adderly, Ray Bryant, Randy Brecker, Frank Wess, Winard Harper, Michael Carvin, Lew Soloff, Claudio Roditi, Donald Harrison, Hank Crawford, Richard Wyands, Gloria Lynn, 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. Peter and Jane have a brand new CD with saxophonist Richie Scollo entitled “The Good Life.” Click here to purchase it.
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.