Randy Weston
NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston is one of the world’s foremost pianists today, a true cultural ambassador, innovator and visionary. He is both a riveting soloist and a dynamic leader of small groups and large, whose performance career, spanning half a century, has taken him to over forty countries throughout Africa, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas. He is also a prolific composer, many of whose works – such as “Little Niles”, “Hi-fly” and “Berkshire Blues” – are jazz classics recorded by top artists. He is particularly acclaimed for his collaboration with the Gnawa, the traditional Black musicians of Morocco. Involved with their cultural traditions for more than twenty years, he continues to record and participate in international festivals with the master Gnawa musicians.
Randy Weston can be booked for solo appearances, with trios, quartets, quintets, big band ensembles and in a tribute concert to James Reese Europe. Concert or festival dates with the Gnawa Master Musicians of Morocco can also be arranged. In addition, he is available as a lecturer on the History of Jazz.
In the Fall of 2010 Randy Weston will release his biography “African Rhythms” penned by esteemed journalist Willard Jenkins and published by Duke University Press and a new recording “The Story Teller, Live at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola” (Motema Records). And in 2011, a DVD documenting his tribute concert to James Reese Europe will be released.
A world tour is being planned in honor of his 85th year in 2011.
The Critics Speak:
“Ancient Future, there are lots of heavy tunes here, played with the immense intelligence and character of one of our most important living musicians.”
– John Corbett, Down Beat Magazine
"Weston has the biggest sound of any jazz pianist since Ellington and Monk, as well as the richest most inventive beat, but his art is more than projection and time; it's the result of a studious and inspired intelligence...an intelligence that is creating a fresh synthesis of African elements with jazz technique."
– Stanley Crouch, Village Voice
-Trio
-Quintet
- Big Band
-With The Master Gnawa Musicians of Morocco
- A Tribute to James Reese Europe
Backline Needs:
- 1 concert grand piano
- 1 bass amp
- 1 set of Percussion
Select Discography:
“Zep Tepi” (Random Chance, 2006)
“Saga” (Verve, 1995)
“The Spirits Of Our Ancestors” (Verve, 1991)
“Uhuru Afrika” (Roulette, 1960)