Shawn Weaver

Shawn Weaver cofounded the Kuumbwa Jazz Institute in Santa Cruz, California in 1979 at the age of 19. He studied arranging and composition with: Ray Brown at Cabrillo College, James Barnes at University of Kansas, Butch Nordal and Jim Knapp at Cornish Institute. He got his BFA from Cornish in 1985. He played Klezmer with the Mazeltones of Seattle 1988-1997. His acclaimed band Shawn’s Kugel has played his original music at Jewish functions all over the Pacific Northwest since 1979. He is staff arranger and accompanist at Temple Beth Am in Seattle. He writes originals and arrangements for: Choir, Klezmer service, Jazz service and the 30 piece Klez Kids orchestra. He also leads the University Klezmer ensemble (Sponsored by Ted Brown Music) made up of UW students and community musicians.