Randy Weston at the Kennedy Center 10/4

[Fred K]

A very nice evening from Randy Weston's African Rhythms Saturday evening at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater. I sprung for both sets and I'm glad I did. The band was T. K. Blue (Talib Kibwe) on alto & soprano sax & flute, Benny Powell on trombone, Alex Blake on Bass, and Neil Clarke on percussion. Taiwo Divall (who played on Tanjah) also sat in on percussion for half the first set and all the second set. In the first set Weston started with a solo piece, then a duet with Blake, a trio with Blake and Clarke and so forth until the entire band was on stage. The second set featured the whole band the entire set. Weston gets an incredible sound from the piano and is always amazing. T. K. Blue added a bit of fire with the alto solos. Benny Powell played beautifully. I thought Alex Blake's solos were a bit over the top but I like his playing with the ensemble a lot. The group sounded great together and the crowd was very appreciative, especially in the second set.

The song list included The Shrine from Khepera, F. E. W. Blues (a nice feature for Powell), Lagos , and The Three Pyramids and the Sphynx from Saga , African Cookbook from the album of the same name, Duke Ellington's Chromatic Love Affair, and a variation on Hi-Fly.