With its dedication to cooperative ethos, the New Jazz Composers Octet nurtures the skills and explores the ever-expanding musical capabilities of all its members. The ensemble dates back to 1996 when trumpeter David Weiss recognized the lack of opportunities for younger composers to present serious original jazz writing. He joined forces with pianist Xavier Davis, saxophonist Myron Walden, and bassist Dwayne Burno. They recruited four more of New Yorks top young musicians and formed the New Jazz Composers Octet. The groups five horn front line provides an ideal setting for the composers to fully realize their compositional notions: such broad instrumentation makes for a unique and versatile ensemble. The collectives passionate rendering of thoughtful arrangements and its firm rooting in tradition quickly established the group as the sound of the new jazz mainstream (Ben Ratliff, The New York Times) for their ability to stretch hard bops kind-of-unstretchable formula (Jim Macnie, Village Voice).

The Octets 1999 recording debut, First Stpes Into Reality (Fresh Sound New Talent 059) was lauded as a gem and received a Critics Pick as one of the Top 5 Albums of the Year in Jazz Times. In 2000, New Jazz Composers Octet pianist Xavier Davis was the recipient of the prestigious Chamber Music America Doris Duke Jazz Ensembles Project: New Works Creation Presentation grant, which provides funds to a composer to create work for his ensemble. Further proof of the consistent high level of all the groups composers was confirmed when David Weiss was awarded the same highly competitive composers grant in 2001. The New Jazz Composers Octet builds upon the success of First Steps Into Reality with the release of New Colors (Hip Bop), which features trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard. The octets version of Hubbards dynamic D Minor Mint had caught the elder trumpeters attention and he asked Weiss to arrange more of his compositions. The resulting recording features miniature big band arrangements of several of Hubbards more distinctive pieces, including Red Clay and One of Another Kind. The London Observer praised the Octets fine, surging ensemble sound. 2003 has seen new Walkin The Line (Fresh Sound New Talent 152) CD from the Octet, which features compositions they explored live in performances throughout 2002, giving it the freedom to experiment with the compositions before committing them to a recording. Swirling horns, tight arrangements, and strong solos fill the recording, a vibrant outing from the NJCO.

Mark F. Turner, All About Jazz