Meet Dan Weiss | Artistic Director & Bassoonist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dan Weiss and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dan, every day, we know how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When we first started the quintet in 2014, we just wanted an opportunity to perform more in the community and get to play fun music specifically written for our ensemble. I quickly realized that we had an amazing group of musicians who were not only talented, but driven to provide quality music for many types of events in the area. The majority of people are set on hiring a string quartet or a solo guitar for their wedding or event, and don’t realize there are other options of ensembles that provide an exceptional atmosphere and are capable of making their celebrations unique and fun.

We started advertising our services in later 2014 while still providing community concerts, and were quickly hired by clients looking for background music for housewarming parties, holiday get togethers, and weddings. It’s grown from there, and we typically perform two or three private events per month alongside our open concerts.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been a musician for most of my life, and have played bassoon for around 32 years now, starting in middle school. In college, I had opportunities to perform with professional symphony orchestra groups and festivals around Central California, and since moving to San Diego, I’ve performed with a number of symphony and stage groups on both bassoon and contrabassoon. It is such a fun opportunity, and I love every time I’m approached and asked to contribute to an upcoming performance.

As for my ensemble, the Left Coast Quintet, I started that group in 2014 as a way to perform more regularly with an easily mobile group – since there are only 5 of us it is easy to set up and perform in almost any space provided. We wanted to bring live, beautiful music to a variety of locations where music didn’t exist before – whether it was a brewery or a vineyard, an old factory, or a private home – there were many opportunities.

Over the years, we’ve built up a really awesome library of custom music that fits our ensemble and is perfect for many occasions. While we are a classical ensemble with a great amount of traditional music, we also love performing more modern music like movie and tv soundtracks, jazz, Broadway and opera, and pop covers.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The other amazing musicians who make up the Left Coast Quintet:
RB Anthony on French Horn, who is also our primary arranger.
Jenny Shippee on oboe and English Horn
April Leslie on Clarinet
Erica Gamble on Flute and Piccolo

Website: https://www.leftcoastquintet.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/leftcoastquintet

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/leftcoastquintet

Facebook: https://facebook.com/leftcoastquintet

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/left-coast-quintet-san-diego-5

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leftcoastquintet-sandiego