Randy Weston...

Pete C · June-12th-2003, 10:01 PM

...should be given a MacArthur and declared a national treasure. Immediately.

np:

Actually, I guess he was declared a national treasure, if those NEA jazz masters things count.

Brian Olewnick · June-12th-2003, 10:15 PM

, baby

Sergio Zamora · June-12th-2003, 10:22 PM

Who is Randy Weston and does it matter?

Cem · June-12th-2003, 10:58 PM

So graceful a player in every way (especially for a large fella). He's one of those performers that is able to help you forget where you are. Could be dangerous if you're driving or something, I guess...

bluenoter · June-12th-2003, 11:35 PM

And I'll bet I can guess which albums some of you would recommend! Thanks. I've never heard him.

Pete C · June-12th-2003, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bluenoter
I've never heard him.

Seriously?

If I had to pick one it would be Spirits of Our Ancestors.

bluenoter · June-12th-2003, 11:50 PM

Seriously, I've never heard him that I know of. There are many jazz artists that I've never heard!

Sergio Zamora · June-13th-2003, 12:00 AM

I'd go with "Spirits of Our Ancestors", too. "Saga" ain't nothin' to sneeze at, either.

I find myself humming to "Congolese Children" quite a lot, though.

Lois Gilbert · June-13th-2003, 02:33 AM

Pete C couldn't agree with you more. I have been searching through cassettes I have with interviews with Randy. He truly is an international treasure.

Frisco · June-13th-2003, 08:27 AM

Yeah, Pete!!
"African Cookbook". Mid 60's date with Booker Ervin on Atlantic! Good idea.

June-13th-2003, 08:37 AM

Randy Weston certainly qualifies as a national treasure, a genuine living legend!

I almost envy people who haven't heard him. There is so much fabulous music to absorb!

Mosaic has just released a 3-cd set that includes some classic and rare material that is otherwise difficult to find: "Highlife," "Uhuru Africa," and more.

His early Riverside dates are highly satisfying, especially Jazz a la Bohemia, With these Hands, and Get Happy.

He and Booker Ervin made a fantastic pair. Check out African Cookbook and Monterey, 1966.

Tanjah and Spirits of our Ancestors are rightfully recognized as major achievements.

I really like his series of "Portraits" on Verve: Monk, Ellington, and himself.

Carnival with Billy Harper burns from start to finish.

Brian Olewnick · June-13th-2003, 08:46 AM

Strong seconds on 'Carnival' (with Don Moye in the drum chair!) and 'African Cookbook'. For me, the solo 'Blues to Africa' still hits the hardest.

Saw Weston in a marvelous duo with Max Roach at the Brooklyn Museum in the late 80s. Quite memorable.

Jiveman · June-13th-2003, 09:06 AM

For those of you unfamiliar with Weston,I believe Steve Schwartz will have Weston on WGBH radio in Boston tonight at 7:30.Weston is performing here in Boston Saturday night.

Cem · June-13th-2003, 09:23 AM

I can't believe I forgot 'Blues To Africa'! I agree with Brian. It's brilliant, hard-hitting!

Also, forgot 'Jazz a la Bohemia'. Great album, horrible sound, beautiful cover.

Captain Hate · June-13th-2003, 09:28 AM

As I posted in the old JCS, Volcano Blues is the disk that I would give to people I worked with (that I liked) that would ask me what type of music that I listened to. The response was always positive.

If I wanted them to leave me alone I'd give them Machine Gun.

Gentle Giant · June-13th-2003, 10:04 AM

I'd be psyched to see Randy Weston, but I don't love the neighborhood he's playing in. I saw Al Green there about 15 years ago and the walk back to my car was scary.

But no question, he's a capital-M Master. Spirits is a beautiful, inspiring, and deep recording.

Jiveman · June-13th-2003, 10:13 AM

Is that neighborhood so bad ,GG?

I play in the BJRO and The Strand is our new "home"--I haven't been yet.Unfortunately I can't make Saturday's gig or I'd get to meet you.

stevebop · June-13th-2003, 10:15 AM

Randy will indeed be a guest on my show tonight at 7:30. He is perfroming a solo concert on Saturday night at 8pm at The Strand Theater on Columbia Road in Dorchester. He is the recipient of the first annual "Keys To The City" award . For more information go to:

www.jcmcsite.com

My program will continue, after Randy, with a two hour birthday tribute to Jaki Byard another giant of the piano. Listen online if you can

Always Know,

Steve Schwartz

Jazz From Studio 4
Friday, 7p-12a
WGBH, 89.7FM, Boston
www.wgbh.org

Pete C · June-13th-2003, 10:24 AM

Whatever happened to his son, Azzedin "Little Niles" Weston? He played percussion with Randy in the 70's and 80's,

I must have seen Randy 15 or 20 times in the past 30 years. FIrst time was his cameo at Mingus's 1972 Philharmonic Hall concert. Highlights include a gig at the Five Spot with Ahmed Abdul-Malik on oud, with Melba Liston & orchestra twice at Prospect Park, The duo with Max that Brian mentioned, a "Healers" reunion with David Murray in Montreal, performing "African Sunrise" with the Chico O'Farrill Orchestra at the Chicago Jazz Festival, solo & duo with Min Xiao Fen on pipa at Brooklyn Museum, other solo, trio, and "African Rhythms" shows.

If Dizzy is the guy who brought Latin music into the jazz mainstream, Randy did it for African music.

One of the great jazz composers. "Hi Fly," "Little Niles" and others are long-standing jazz standards.

Dolphy liked to record his tunes. "Saucer Eyes" is a nice one.

When he accepted his Smithsonian Jazz Master award he gave big props to Brooklyn. Gotta love him.

Brian Olewnick · June-13th-2003, 10:28 AM

Plus, at 6' 8", he easily retains the piano chair in the all-time, "All Tall" jazz band.

Pete C · June-13th-2003, 10:35 AM

And, like Monk, Mingus and a few other originals, he's one of the few artists we all seem to agree on...

Uli · June-13th-2003, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pete C
And, like Monk, Mingus and a few other originals, he's one of the few artists we all seem to agree on...

Probably a "cult" thingy.

Steve Reynolds · June-13th-2003, 11:23 AM

my choices are Blues to Africa and Marrakesh in the Cool of The Evening for the solo discs

and Saga - and the brilliant Monk disc (with Nasser & Muhammed) - with the *greatest* version of "Functional" that has ever been....

and Idris is tremendous on this recording

BlueMiles · June-13th-2003, 11:38 AM

We all know Monk, Miles, Bird, Dizzy, etc. Well...to me, Randy Weston is right up there! Talk about a great artist! He is fantastic from every angle--composer, band leader, and pianist. And if you ever get a chance to hear his voice, he has this joy, this awe, this geniality, this "spirit"! Of course, you will also hear all of that in his music.

I first heard him just over a decade ago, with the release of "Spirits of Our Ancestors" (which belongs in EVERY jazz collection), as well as hearing on the radio a concert from Chicago. These were mind-blowing experiences, and I have since been an avid fan of the man and his music. I got to see him twice last year in Cleveland--first as he did some solo piano and an interivew, second as his sextet played at Tri-C. Weston is no youngster, but this was just about the most exciting concert I've ever seen!

The Mosaic 3-CD set covers early Weston: 1957-1963. This includes is "Little Niles," which has been mysteriously missing from CD. I have an old record of "Little Niles," which most would regard as his first masterpiece. Much of the Weston sound is already present here, due in large part of Melba Liston's arranging. The Weston/Liston is one of the great one in jazz. You'll also get to hear Melba play trombone here. This version of the famous piece "Little Niles" (many more would follow) may well be the definitive one. Mosaic also includes the earlier albums showing a profound African influence, and "High Life" is certainly a classic.

Weston had a great run of about 10 years on Antilles and Verve, raising his visibility a good deal (if not nearly enough). His most recent CD (the solo "Ancient Future") is found on the obscure MutableMusic. Almost all his work in this period is for the ages.
Go out and get....

Spirits of Our Ancestors

Self Portraits

Volcano Blues

Saga

Kherpera

BlueMiles · June-13th-2003, 11:40 AM

I will say "amen " to Weston's version of "Functional." Magnificent!

I think the one album that is missing from my collection is "Carnival." Got to get that one.

bluenoter · June-13th-2003, 11:55 AM

Pete mentioned that Dolphy liked to record his tunes. I know I've seen Randy Weston listed as composer here and there, but I didn't form an integrated impression of what his compositions are like, and I've never knowingly heard him as a performer.

hearsay · June-13th-2003, 12:00 PM

Right On! Weston is great! I sat right up next to his piano at the Jazz Standard one time and was so moved by his deep touch. I need to get some more of these albums.

BlueMiles · June-13th-2003, 12:03 PM

Weston is a great composer. You hear his tunes and they stick in your head, like Duke's tunes and Monk's tunes. They tend to be very catchy. He has many moods, with some tunes in a melacholy vein. The blues influence is very strong in much of his work.

Some great ones:

"The Healers"

"African Sunrise"

"Blues for Strayhorn"

"African Cookbook"

"Little Niles"

"The Shrine"

"African Village"

"Hi-Fly"

"Babe's Blues"

"The Beauty of it All"

"Loose Wig"

"The Seventh Queen"

"Penny Packer Blues"

Pete C · June-13th-2003, 12:04 PM

Weston's most covered tunes tend to be from the 50's, but he really developed his own thing when he consciously brought African elements into his music in the 60's.

Brian Olewnick · June-13th-2003, 12:10 PM

On her "Finally" album, Betty Carter does a beautiful version of Weston's "Berkshire Blues" (for which she supplied lyrics and retitled, "Ego").