chris weigers

Home: Buwate, Kampala, Uganda
T: +256 784 340819 or +256 792 513690
email: cweigers@gmail.com
dob: 26 December, 1957
Huntington, NY, USA
Profile
A professional musician, bassist, based in New York since 1974. Have performed
throughout the United States and internationally.
Private electric and double bass instructor since 1985.
Band Director at private primary and secondary schools in the NewYork area from 1996
- 2009.
Moved to Uganda in January 2010 serving as a volunteer bass trainer and jazz teacher at
Kampala Music School and at M-Lisada Children’s Home, Nsambya where I have started
a jazz band which continues today. Active fundraising, mentoring and serving on the Board
of Directors of M-Lisada Africa Foundation for former street and vulnerable children.
Head of Jazz Department at “Kampala Music School” from January 2012.
Bass instructor and Jazz Ensemble teacher at “Africa Institute of Music”, Kampala, Uganda,
from January, 2012 . Head of Jazz Department from September 2012.
Also active as performing bassist in Kampala with several artists from 2010 - present.

Experience
As a performer; Electric Bass & Double bass, free lance, New York area - 1974 - 2016 ;
Primarily in Kampala 2010 - present. Have performed or recorded a variety of styles and situations
over this 42 year period including with jazz greats Makanda Ken McIntyre, John Abercombie, Jaki
Byard, Warren Smith, Bob Mintzer, Chris Palmaro(SNL), Russell Ferrante(Yellowjackets), Russ
Freeman & Bill Heller,(Rippingtons) Lee Finkelstein(Original Blues Brothers, John Tropea, Steve
Cropper), Jason Crosby(Phil Lesh, Robert Randolph), Rob Barraco(The Dead, Phil Lesh),
John Scarpulla(Tower OF Power, Diana Ross), Brian Dunne(Hall and Oates, Average White Band),
Charlie DeChant(Hall and Oates), Al Pitreli(Alice Cooper, Megadeth).
European tours with bands New York Ska Jazz Ensemble(including festivals such as “Jazz In Marciac”)
and Eastern Standard Time.
Performances in USA with artists Paula Atherton, Lothlorien, Eclipse,Willie Steel, Jim Pin Band,The
Zen Tricksters, Satya.
Also, road companies of Broadway musicals (Hair, Fiddler On The Roof), chamber groups and
community orchestras, local theater, and countless others.
In Uganda, performances with Sabar Zibula(including Bayimba, Pearl Rhythm, Nyege Nyege
Festivals), Pragmo, Charmant Mushaga, Michael Kitanda, Aduba, Maureen Rutabingwa, Baxma Waves,
Lillian Mbabazi, Qwela.
Leader, conductor, arranger of Kampala Big Band Jazz. In Tanzania performed with Dar Choral
Society - Dar Es Salaam,(orchestra).
BAND DIRECTOR, PAUL EFFMAN MUSIC SERVICE, SYOSSET, NEW YORK, USA - 1999 2009! This job entailed instruction of traditional band instruments - flute, clarinet, saxophone,
trumpet, trombone, & drums as well as violin while directing primary and secondary school bands
for performances. Ages ranged from 3rd grade through 12 grade. The system saw us instruct one day
per week at each school either during the school day or after regular school hours. As a result I
was responsible for teaching at 8 different schools per week.
PRIVATE BASS INSTRUCTION, SELF EMPLOYED, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK -1985-2010
One on one bass instruction, both double bass (NYSSMA levels 1 -6 ) and electric bass. Students,
aged 10 - 76, were taught to be proficient in reading music, instrumental technique, jazz concepts,
music theory, composition, arranging, and performing in a group situation.

chris weigers

COUNTRIES PERFORMED IN:
USA, Canada, Mexico, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Poland, Czech Republic, Serbia,
Hungary, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Lithuania, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Bolivia,Turkey,
Uganda, Tanzania.
SELECTED RECORDINGS:
as a leader: Chris Weigers “HORIZONS” 2004; ArushA “LOOK UP” 2007
as sideman: Lothlorien(eponymous) LP 1980; Lothlorien “SPACES” LP 1983;
James Ingenito “RHYTHM ROOM BLUE” 1995; Willie Steel “REAL STEEL” 1996 ; “BRIAN
MOORE ENDORSING ARTISTS” w/The Jim Pin Band & others 1998; Joe Gil “BREATH DEEPLY”
2008; Victoria Faiella “WILD BUTTERFLY” 2011; Joel Cook “GETTING THERE...” 2012;
Charmant Mushaga “AFRICAN LOVE” 2014; DOA DOA ’15 “COMPILATION”;
Sabar Zibula “THE JOURNEY” 2015
EDUCATION:
State University of New York, College at Old Westbury BA Performing Arts (American Music JAZZ studying with Makanda Ken McIntyre, Richard Harper, Sinclair Acey, James Jabbo Ware, Warren
Smith)/ second major - Politics, Economics and Society. graduated 1982.
SUNY Stony Brook, masters credits in Social Studies education 1990 - 92///
Bass instruction with Richard Davis John DeWitt, Dave Holland
SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook - Chris Weigers, Sabar Zibula, KMS Jazz Band, M-Lisada Kampala
YOUTUBE LINKS:
1) Song For Bilbao - with Pragmo & Kitanda -

https://youtu.be/q1K7hQ1cBAc

2) Is It You - with Positive Change Band -

https://youtu.be/UZ-xDWyWx9w

3) Afropenzi - w/Charmant Mushaga -

https://youtu.be/17PZeCfkiII

4) Nawe Osobola - Sabar Zibula -

https://youtu.be/bFuJF8eEBHk

5) Saama Dome - Sabar Zibula -

https://youtu.be/IpebocqWuX0

6) Jim Pin Band 2012 - Kid - Cuz - Black Cow -

https://youtu.be/mc8JazWXYQg

7) Boulevard East - Canʼt Buy Me Love -

https://youtu.be/BEStJwvDIJA

REFERENCES:
in USA: Chris Palmaro: countcollar@gmail.com: 201-863-4604.
Lee Finkelstein: finkeltime@me.com: 917-838-0622.
in UGANDA: Segawa Bosco (director M-Lisada) : mlisada-xstreet@hotmail.com by
phone: +256772433793
Maria Parkim(director Africa Institute of Music) africamusicmaria@gmail.com by
phone: +256772577748

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