Randy Weston (born April 6, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American jazz pianist and composer of Jamaican parentage. He was described by Marian McPartland as "one of the world's great visionary pianists and composers".
Weston's piano style owes much to Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk (he has paid direct tribute to both on the "portraits" albums), but it is highly distinctive in its qualities: percussive, highly rhythmic, capable of producing a wide variety of moods.
Biography
Early life
Weston was raised in Brooklyn, where his father Frank owned a restaurant. Weston studied classical piano as a child and he took dance lessons as well. He graduated from Boys High School in Bedford-Stuyvesant. His father chose for him to attend there because it had a reputation of high standards. He took piano lessons from Professor Atwell, because unlike his former piano teachers, Professor Atwell allowed him to play songs outside of the classical music repertoire.
Randy Weston was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1991 to 1999. His district consisted of a portion of Crawford County, Ohio, Wyandot County, Ohio, Marion County, Ohio, and Seneca County, Ohio. Weston won all five of his elections to the House of Representatives successively and within a nine-year span. He was succeeded by Bob Gooding, who was appointed to the position after Weston resigned to accept another position. The next individual to win the seat in election was Steve Reinhard.
"Hi-Fly" (also sometimes spelled "Hi Fly" or "High Fly") is one of the best known compositions by pianist Randy Weston, written in the 1950s and inspired by his experience of being 6 feet 8 inches tall, "and how the ground looks different to you than everybody else". Since first being recorded on 1958's New Faces at Newport, "Hi-Fly" appears on several other albums by Weston, including Live at the Five Spot (1959),Niles Littlebig (1969),Tanjah (1973),Perspective (with Vishnu Wood, 1976),Rhythms and Sounds (1978),Earth Birth (1995),Zep Tepi (2005), and The Storyteller (2009).
Randy Weston African Rythm Orchestra
Live at The Montreux Jazz Festival (1985)
published: 08 Jul 2016
Randy Weston - Hi Fly
Randy Weston African Rythm Orchestra
Live at The Montreux Jazz Festival (1985)
published: 08 Jul 2016
Randy Weston - In Memory Of
published: 08 Mar 2019
Randy Weston, Judah Band - For My Good (Live)
Music video by Randy Weston, Judah Band performing For My Good (Live). Light Records, a division of MNRK Records LP
http://vevo.ly/GzmNxw
published: 06 Sep 2022
Interview - RANDY WESTON | Montreux Jazz Festival 2016
Montreux Jazz Festival is one of the most famous summer festival in Europe and has existed for many years. Discover our exclusive content and live the Montreux Jazz experience.
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published: 04 Jul 2016
Randy Weston & Judah Band - Making A Way (Music Video)
#RandyWeston #JudahBand #MakingAWay
published: 02 Feb 2022
Randy Weston Quintet at the Five Spot - Hi-Fly
Randy Weston Quintet at the Five Spot - Hi-Fly (1959)
Personnel: Kenny Dorham (trumpet), Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax), Randy Weston (piano), Wilbur Little (bass), Roy Haynes (drums), Melba Liston (arrange)
from the album 'LIVE AT THE FIVE SPOT' (Fresh Sound Records)
published: 25 Mar 2012
Marrakech Blues
Provided to YouTube by Comet
Marrakech Blues · Randy Weston · Randy Weston
African Rhythms
℗ Planet woo - comet
Released on: 1969-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 22 May 2018
The Gnawa: Abdellah El Gourd and Randy Weston Full Performance
The Gnawa in Morocco, like African-Americans in the United States, were taken as slaves from sub-Saharan Africa and developed a unique and very spiritual music and culture. Gnawa music is one of the major musical currents in Morocco. Moroccans overwhelmingly love Gnawa music and Gnawas 'Maalems' are highly respected, and enjoy an aura of musical stardom.
On October 13, 2015, Abdellah El Gourd and Dar Gnawa of Tanger joined New School Jazz Artist-In-Residence, pianist and composer Randy Weston for a discussion and demonstration of various aspects of traditional Gnawan music, and how this African musical tradition has influenced Weston's own compositions. The two first met in 1968 after Weston moved to Morocco and continue to perform together around the world, nearly fifty years later. It ...
published: 26 Oct 2015
Randy Weston And Billy Harper: 'Blues To Senegal,' Live On Soundcheck
Hear the entire session and interview: http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/randy-weston-and-billy-harper-in-studio/
Randy Weston is one of jazz's most renowned and visionary pianists and composers. Over six decades' Weston has been a true innovator, crafting thoughtful works that seamlessly meld jazz and blues theory with African rhythms.
On his latest recording, The Roots Of The Blues, Weston continues his longstanding musical collaboration with saxophonist Billy Harper -- a soulful partnership that dates back to the 1974. Recorded in early 2013, the duo's record showcases inventive arrangements and improvisations and a shared love for the blues and rich global music traditions. It's another high mark for the distinguished musicians.
Watch Weston and Harper perform "Blues To Senegal" in t...
Montreux Jazz Festival is one of the most famous summer festival in Europe and has existed for many years. Discover our exclusive content and live the Montreux ...
Montreux Jazz Festival is one of the most famous summer festival in Europe and has existed for many years. Discover our exclusive content and live the Montreux Jazz experience.
******
SUBSCRIBE to the Montreux Jazz Festival Official Channel: http://urlz.fr/22BB
For more videos from the Montreux Jazz Festival: http://www.montreuxjazz.com
******
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MontreuxJazz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montreuxjazz...
Instagram: https://instagram.com/montreuxjazzfes...
******
Visit the Official Website of the Montreux Jazz Festival: http://www.montreuxjazzfestival.com
******
Montreux Jazz Festival is one of the most famous summer festival in Europe and has existed for many years. Discover our exclusive content and live the Montreux Jazz experience.
******
SUBSCRIBE to the Montreux Jazz Festival Official Channel: http://urlz.fr/22BB
For more videos from the Montreux Jazz Festival: http://www.montreuxjazz.com
******
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MontreuxJazz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montreuxjazz...
Instagram: https://instagram.com/montreuxjazzfes...
******
Visit the Official Website of the Montreux Jazz Festival: http://www.montreuxjazzfestival.com
******
Randy Weston Quintet at the Five Spot - Hi-Fly (1959)
Personnel: Kenny Dorham (trumpet), Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax), Randy Weston (piano), Wilbur Little (bass...
Randy Weston Quintet at the Five Spot - Hi-Fly (1959)
Personnel: Kenny Dorham (trumpet), Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax), Randy Weston (piano), Wilbur Little (bass), Roy Haynes (drums), Melba Liston (arrange)
from the album 'LIVE AT THE FIVE SPOT' (Fresh Sound Records)
Randy Weston Quintet at the Five Spot - Hi-Fly (1959)
Personnel: Kenny Dorham (trumpet), Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax), Randy Weston (piano), Wilbur Little (bass), Roy Haynes (drums), Melba Liston (arrange)
from the album 'LIVE AT THE FIVE SPOT' (Fresh Sound Records)
Provided to YouTube by Comet
Marrakech Blues · Randy Weston · Randy Weston
African Rhythms
℗ Planet woo - comet
Released on: 1969-01-01
Auto-generated by Y...
Provided to YouTube by Comet
Marrakech Blues · Randy Weston · Randy Weston
African Rhythms
℗ Planet woo - comet
Released on: 1969-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Comet
Marrakech Blues · Randy Weston · Randy Weston
African Rhythms
℗ Planet woo - comet
Released on: 1969-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
The Gnawa in Morocco, like African-Americans in the United States, were taken as slaves from sub-Saharan Africa and developed a unique and very spiritual music ...
The Gnawa in Morocco, like African-Americans in the United States, were taken as slaves from sub-Saharan Africa and developed a unique and very spiritual music and culture. Gnawa music is one of the major musical currents in Morocco. Moroccans overwhelmingly love Gnawa music and Gnawas 'Maalems' are highly respected, and enjoy an aura of musical stardom.
On October 13, 2015, Abdellah El Gourd and Dar Gnawa of Tanger joined New School Jazz Artist-In-Residence, pianist and composer Randy Weston for a discussion and demonstration of various aspects of traditional Gnawan music, and how this African musical tradition has influenced Weston's own compositions. The two first met in 1968 after Weston moved to Morocco and continue to perform together around the world, nearly fifty years later. It was El Gourd who initiated the pianist into the riches of Gnawa music. Weston explains, "The Gnawa people and their music represent one of the strongest spiritual connections I've ever experienced."
Dar Gnawa of Tanger, a group of traditional Moroccan musicians led by El Gourd, performed and were joined by Randy Weston on piano.
This program is part of the Randy Weston Artist-In-Residency series at The New School for Jazz, produced by Phil Ballman.
The Gnawa in Morocco, like African-Americans in the United States, were taken as slaves from sub-Saharan Africa and developed a unique and very spiritual music and culture. Gnawa music is one of the major musical currents in Morocco. Moroccans overwhelmingly love Gnawa music and Gnawas 'Maalems' are highly respected, and enjoy an aura of musical stardom.
On October 13, 2015, Abdellah El Gourd and Dar Gnawa of Tanger joined New School Jazz Artist-In-Residence, pianist and composer Randy Weston for a discussion and demonstration of various aspects of traditional Gnawan music, and how this African musical tradition has influenced Weston's own compositions. The two first met in 1968 after Weston moved to Morocco and continue to perform together around the world, nearly fifty years later. It was El Gourd who initiated the pianist into the riches of Gnawa music. Weston explains, "The Gnawa people and their music represent one of the strongest spiritual connections I've ever experienced."
Dar Gnawa of Tanger, a group of traditional Moroccan musicians led by El Gourd, performed and were joined by Randy Weston on piano.
This program is part of the Randy Weston Artist-In-Residency series at The New School for Jazz, produced by Phil Ballman.
Hear the entire session and interview: http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/randy-weston-and-billy-harper-in-studio/
Randy Weston is one of jazz's most renowned an...
Hear the entire session and interview: http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/randy-weston-and-billy-harper-in-studio/
Randy Weston is one of jazz's most renowned and visionary pianists and composers. Over six decades' Weston has been a true innovator, crafting thoughtful works that seamlessly meld jazz and blues theory with African rhythms.
On his latest recording, The Roots Of The Blues, Weston continues his longstanding musical collaboration with saxophonist Billy Harper -- a soulful partnership that dates back to the 1974. Recorded in early 2013, the duo's record showcases inventive arrangements and improvisations and a shared love for the blues and rich global music traditions. It's another high mark for the distinguished musicians.
Watch Weston and Harper perform "Blues To Senegal" in the Soundcheck studio.
For more, follow Soundcheck on Twitter at @Soundcheck.
Hear the entire session and interview: http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/randy-weston-and-billy-harper-in-studio/
Randy Weston is one of jazz's most renowned and visionary pianists and composers. Over six decades' Weston has been a true innovator, crafting thoughtful works that seamlessly meld jazz and blues theory with African rhythms.
On his latest recording, The Roots Of The Blues, Weston continues his longstanding musical collaboration with saxophonist Billy Harper -- a soulful partnership that dates back to the 1974. Recorded in early 2013, the duo's record showcases inventive arrangements and improvisations and a shared love for the blues and rich global music traditions. It's another high mark for the distinguished musicians.
Watch Weston and Harper perform "Blues To Senegal" in the Soundcheck studio.
For more, follow Soundcheck on Twitter at @Soundcheck.
Montreux Jazz Festival is one of the most famous summer festival in Europe and has existed for many years. Discover our exclusive content and live the Montreux Jazz experience.
******
SUBSCRIBE to the Montreux Jazz Festival Official Channel: http://urlz.fr/22BB
For more videos from the Montreux Jazz Festival: http://www.montreuxjazz.com
******
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MontreuxJazz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montreuxjazz...
Instagram: https://instagram.com/montreuxjazzfes...
******
Visit the Official Website of the Montreux Jazz Festival: http://www.montreuxjazzfestival.com
******
Randy Weston Quintet at the Five Spot - Hi-Fly (1959)
Personnel: Kenny Dorham (trumpet), Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax), Randy Weston (piano), Wilbur Little (bass), Roy Haynes (drums), Melba Liston (arrange)
from the album 'LIVE AT THE FIVE SPOT' (Fresh Sound Records)
Provided to YouTube by Comet
Marrakech Blues · Randy Weston · Randy Weston
African Rhythms
℗ Planet woo - comet
Released on: 1969-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
The Gnawa in Morocco, like African-Americans in the United States, were taken as slaves from sub-Saharan Africa and developed a unique and very spiritual music and culture. Gnawa music is one of the major musical currents in Morocco. Moroccans overwhelmingly love Gnawa music and Gnawas 'Maalems' are highly respected, and enjoy an aura of musical stardom.
On October 13, 2015, Abdellah El Gourd and Dar Gnawa of Tanger joined New School Jazz Artist-In-Residence, pianist and composer Randy Weston for a discussion and demonstration of various aspects of traditional Gnawan music, and how this African musical tradition has influenced Weston's own compositions. The two first met in 1968 after Weston moved to Morocco and continue to perform together around the world, nearly fifty years later. It was El Gourd who initiated the pianist into the riches of Gnawa music. Weston explains, "The Gnawa people and their music represent one of the strongest spiritual connections I've ever experienced."
Dar Gnawa of Tanger, a group of traditional Moroccan musicians led by El Gourd, performed and were joined by Randy Weston on piano.
This program is part of the Randy Weston Artist-In-Residency series at The New School for Jazz, produced by Phil Ballman.
Hear the entire session and interview: http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/randy-weston-and-billy-harper-in-studio/
Randy Weston is one of jazz's most renowned and visionary pianists and composers. Over six decades' Weston has been a true innovator, crafting thoughtful works that seamlessly meld jazz and blues theory with African rhythms.
On his latest recording, The Roots Of The Blues, Weston continues his longstanding musical collaboration with saxophonist Billy Harper -- a soulful partnership that dates back to the 1974. Recorded in early 2013, the duo's record showcases inventive arrangements and improvisations and a shared love for the blues and rich global music traditions. It's another high mark for the distinguished musicians.
Watch Weston and Harper perform "Blues To Senegal" in the Soundcheck studio.
For more, follow Soundcheck on Twitter at @Soundcheck.
Randy Weston (born April 6, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American jazz pianist and composer of Jamaican parentage. He was described by Marian McPartland as "one of the world's great visionary pianists and composers".
Weston's piano style owes much to Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk (he has paid direct tribute to both on the "portraits" albums), but it is highly distinctive in its qualities: percussive, highly rhythmic, capable of producing a wide variety of moods.
Biography
Early life
Weston was raised in Brooklyn, where his father Frank owned a restaurant. Weston studied classical piano as a child and he took dance lessons as well. He graduated from Boys High School in Bedford-Stuyvesant. His father chose for him to attend there because it had a reputation of high standards. He took piano lessons from Professor Atwell, because unlike his former piano teachers, Professor Atwell allowed him to play songs outside of the classical music repertoire.