Randy Weston
American jazz pianist and composer (1926–2018) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the Ohio politician, see Randy Weston (politician).
Randolph Edward "Randy" Weston (April 6, 1926 – September 1, 2018) was an American jazz pianist and composer whose creativity was inspired by his ancestral African connection.[1]
Quick Facts Background information, Birth name ...
Randy Weston | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Randolph Edward Weston |
Born | (1926-04-06)April 6, 1926 Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. |
Died | September 1, 2018(2018-09-01) (aged 92) Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
Genres | Jazz, African jazz, world fusion |
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, bandleader |
Instrument(s) | Piano |
Years active | 1950s–2018 |
Labels | Riverside, Antilles, Verve, Motéma |
Website | randyweston |
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Weston's piano style owed much to Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk,[2] whom he cited in a 2018 video as among pianists he counted as influences, as well as Count Basie, Nat King Cole and Earl Hines.[3] Beginning in the 1950s, Weston worked often with trombonist and arranger Melba Liston.[4][5]
Described as "America's African Musical Ambassador", Weston once said: "What I do I do because it's about teaching and informing everyone about our most natural cultural phenomenon. It's really about Africa and her music."[6]