Event
Randy Weston's African Rhythms Quintet
Randy Weston's African Rhythms Quintet
Weston's playing embodies the whole history of the music, dating back to the Continent. His music is so deep and fresh, but its not so esoteric that the audience cant feel very connected.San Jose Mercury News
One of the first American musicians to incorporate African musical forms into a jazz context, Randy Weston pioneered a fabulously rich sonic synthesis so far reaching that other artists are still sorting through the implications more than 40 years later. Using Thelonious Monks spiky keyboard style as a point of departure, Weston developed a sweeping, darkly romantic sound, and a knack for crafting tightly constructed, often rhythmically robust tunes, such as the standards "Hi Fly," "Babes Blues," "African Cookbook" and "Blue Moses." At 82, Weston retains all his rhythmic power, probing lyricism and quiet charisma.
The African Rhythms Quintet is Weston's latest vehicle for integrating the Old World rhythms with New World harmonic structures. Instead of the American trap drum set, the band features hand percussionist Neil Clarke providing grooves on a range of instruments. The groups beautifully textured rhythmic sound is further enhanced by the idiosyncratic bass style of Alex Blake, an astonishing player who has honed a percussive, strumming technique. Soaring over the rhythm section, theres the deeply soulful alto saxophonist and flutist TK Blue, whos been an essential Weston collaborator for more than two decades. New Orleans-born trombonist Benny Powell, who contributed classic solos on Count Basies 1957 hit "April In Paris, traces his musical relationship with Weston even further, making the African Rhythms Quintet a family as much as a band.
For more information about these artists visit www.healdsburgjazzfestival.org.
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LocationRaven Theater
115 North Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448
United States
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| Kid Friendly: No |
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