Randy Weston Tribute Tonite at the Jazz Corner

Tonight The Jazz Corner of the World pays homage to one of the last remaining giants of Modern Jazz, Mr. Randy Weston. In Randy Weston's case, that description is literal as well as historically accurate.
One of the earliest jazz musicians to incorporate African instrumentation as well as African song structure and rhythym, Weston has been a guiding light to American musicians abroad as well, having run a music club in Morocco at one point. In compositions like "Congolese Children" and "African Lady" he fuses African style and imagery into his adventurous songs, often bordering on what would later become Free Jazz, and certainly crafting the foundation of 70s Spiritual Jazz. All the while his compositions retains their grounding in the most ancient rhythyms but are played with a modern master's technique and flair.

His most obvious influences are Art Tatum and Thelonious Monk, but I once heard him talk about how he considered Nat King Cole to be one of the great pianists of the 20th Century, and an abiding influence on his playing. And like Monk(an instructor of his as a young man), Weston has never stopped being adventurous and experimental in his work. He maintains a body of work that he returns to re-craft regularly(also like Monk) but continues to push his ouvre into unexpected corners of the musical sphere as he ages. Wether it's leading large ensembles with the Master Musicians of Morocco, experimenting alongside Pharoah Sanders with ancient Asian motifs and instruments, or crafting elaborate and winning musical portraits of Duke Ellington or Art Tatum, Weston's style and depth often belie his fearless creativity. While other artists return to the safe environment of past successes and easy marketibility, Randy Weston's body of work demonstrates how easily he approaches the unknown, often re-arranging his compositions in new landscapes or creating new ones out of whole cloth, pushing his limitations and challenging his audience to do the same.
His friend and longtime collaborator/arranger, Melba Liston, was cast in a similar mold as Weston. Musically restless and forward moving, but with a master musician's chops and foundation in big band arrangement. Her collaborations with Weston date back to 1959 and span almost 40 years to include Weston's 1998 CD Khepera. Sadly, she passed in 1999, leaving a resume many could only envy, having arranged for greats including Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Mary Lou Williams, Weston and many others, including a stint as an arranger at Motown Records. As a pioneer in the field of female Jazz musicians, she is eclipsed only by the great Mary Lou Williams, and Liston's particular brilliance had a longevity that few musicians of either gender can match. Her collaborations with Randy Weston, in my opinion, are her crowning achievements.

Honoring Randy Weston's 80th birthday as well as his visit to Washington DC this Saturday, January 28th at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theatre, tonight at The Jazz Corner of the World I will be focusing on the Giant of the Piano from 8pm til at least 9pm. I know, that's a small amount of time to give such an enourmous talent, but it will have to do. Truth be told I tout the greatness and kindness of this great musician whenever someone will listen. I was fortunate enough to have met Mr. Weston shortly after Khepara was released, and a good friend who grew up with him as a member of her family introduced me after a performance. I am forever in her debt for introducing me to his music first, and then to the man at the heart of it. Having seen him in recent years in performance has been a blessing, and I recommend his performances with no reservation. With nothing left to prove, Randy Weston ventures to the heart of African Rhythym and presents his audience with a musical treasure.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
“You have to practice improvisation, let no one kid you about it!”
-Art Tatum