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The Twin Cities recently lost a very talented sax man, and versatile sub in may of the area’s local big bands, including RCJO.

Warren Weise was a well-regarded saxophone player active in the Twin Cities music scene, known primarily for his work within the Big Band and jazz community.

While he kept a relatively low profile compared to national touring acts, his contributions to the regional music landscape are significant:

• Ensembles: He is a long-standing member of the Bend in the River Big Band, a premier Twin Cities jazz ensemble. The group frequently performs at notable local venues such as the Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul, Centennial Lakes in Edina, and various jazz festivals like Jazz on the Prairie. He was frequently seen joining the sax section with River City Jazz Orchestra, which started out as an Inver Grove Heights Community College adult extension class, and when that program ended in 1999, became the non-profit volunteer jazz band playing many local summer time community stages since then.

• Musical Style: His work is rooted in the tradition of classic Big Band swing and modern jazz arrangements. He is often associated with high-caliber local musicians who specialize in the "Golden Age" of jazz repertoire.

• Performance Profile: Beyond his regular big band appearances, Weise has been involved in smaller jazz combos and pit orchestras for local theater productions.

In the Twin Cities, he is recognized among peers for his technical precision and his ability to blend seamlessly into complex horn sections, making him a staple of the professional freelance circuit in Minnesota.

Seen Soloing with R. City Jazz Orchestra

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B47ZeViDT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Our own Michael Steigler recently wrote the following tribute ***

Our good friend Warren Weise has played his final lick as he peacefully died the morning May 5, 2026 at his home in Northfield with his wife, Brenda by his side. He had been diagnosed with cancer several years ago, briefly tried chemo (which he said almost killed him!) and was characteristically philosophical and accepting of his terminal diagnosis. He remained lucid (yes, even "wry" as always) and mostly mobile right up until his last few days.

It's curious how we musicians play together, sometimes for years, and yet don't always know that much about each other. Here's what I learned through the years of knowing and playing with Warren.

He was married to Brenda for the last 30 years. He had a son (a drummer!) and daughter from his first marriage (and was still on good terms with their mother). He had a variety of careers including being an on-air TV broadcaster of news and weather, and a radio personality. He was involved with the Eau Claire Jazz Festival for many years, including being the emcee for the festival. He had a career as an executive in the marketing industry as well.

He started on trumpet in school, at the insistence of his teachers. But he never really liked it! (Can you blame him?) When he was out of school, at his earliest opportunity, he switched to saxophone, being mostly self-taught though he did study briefly with his close, long-time friend, the legendary Ruben Haugen. (I have a CD of Ruben and Warren playing along with Aebersold records. Talk about smooth!) He learned to improvise strictly by ear, deprecating reading changes as "playing by the numbers" (like painting "by number"). He had a good ear, and a lovely feel whenever he blew.

He loved Zoot Sims and practically worshipped Stan Getz but couldn't understand jazz fans' worship of Coltrane, who Warren referred to as "Coldtrane." (Warren succeeded in migrating my taste away from my dozens of Coltrane recordings. Thanks, Warren. Now what do I do with all those LPs?)

Warren was a student of the saxophone, especially the Couf saxophone. He thought the legendary Selmer saxes were overrated. So he sold me a Couf alto, tenor and bari. (I was an easy mark, apparently.) He diligently, systematically practiced his horns in a daily rotation: alto, tenor, bari. And he was, of course, a dependable, desirable sub on all the horns in many bands. I don't think there is a band in town that Warren has not played with.

All of us who have played with Warren will miss him. His sound, his licks, his gentle presence in the band.

The family has chosen to have only a private celebration of life at a later time.