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Saturday, July 30, 7:30pm Sponsored by Eisbach Facial Plastic Surgery, PC
When Randy Weston plays, a combination of strength and gentleness virility and velvet emerges from the keys in an ebb and flow of sound seemingly as natural as the waves of the sea After six decades, NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston remains one of the world’s foremost pianists and composers. A true innovator and visionary, his global creations, which encompass the vast rhythmic heritage of Africa, continue to inform and inspire. Weston first performed in Africa almost fifty years ago and has since returned many times, delving into the African roots of jazz, and extolling the beauty and richness of African culture. He has produced a series of acclaimed albums in a variety of formats. His best known compositions, include “Hi-Fly”, “Little Niles” “African Sunrise,” “Blue Moses,” “The Healers” and “Berkshire Blues,” all regarded as jazz standards. Although Weston’s piano style owes much to Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, its percussive, highly rhythmic style and ability to produce a wide variety of moods makes it highly distinctive in itself. Jazz critic Stanley Crouch wrote, “Weston has the biggest sound of any jazz pianist since Ellington and Monk, as well as the richest most inventive beat. His art is …the result of a studious and inspired intelligence...an intelligence that is creating a fresh synthesis of African elements with jazz technique.” At 84, Weston continues to perform both with his African Rhythms Quintet as well as solo. His latest African Rhythms recording, The Storyteller, is a live CD and the first for the group since Live in St. Lucia (2003). The African Rhythms Quintet features longtime associates, TK Blue, alto saxophone; Robert Trowers, trombone; Alex Blake, bass; and Neil Clarke, African percussion. This event is supported by NEA Jazz Masters Live, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. $45/$35/$25/$15. $5 discount Members & Students (No Member Passes) |
