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Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture > Video Oral History Gallery Video Gallery Cataloging Data: Randy WestonLocation
Schomburg-MIRS
Call #
Sc Visual VRA-199 Service copy.
Sc Visual VRB-2032 Original of: Sc Visual VRA-199.
Author
Weston, Randy, interviewee.
Title
Oral history interview with Randy Weston, 10 June 1996
[videorecording] / interviewer, Larry Ridley.
Imprint
1996.
Description
1 videocassette (1 hr., 3 min.) : sd., col. ; 1/2 in.
010300
Note
Title supplied; duration: 2 hr., 5 min.
Credits
Produced and directed by James Briggs Murray.
Note
Weston performs one of his own compositions with interviewer
Larry Ridley on double bass prior to the interview.
Recorded on June 10, 1996, at the Schomburg Center for Research
in Black Culture, Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Summary
The oral history interview with Randy Weston, jazz pianist and
composer, begins with Weston on piano and interviewer Larry
Ridley on double bass performing a composition by Weston.
Afterwards Weston describes Louis Armstrong as the first
improviser, scat singer,and the first to take the message
of music around the planet. Born April 6, 1926 in Brooklyn,
New York, Randy Weston was raised in a musical and
inspirational home. His father (Caribbean born, follower of
Marcus Garvey) told him at an early age that he was an African
born in America; Weston's mother (Virginia born) saw that he
was in a Black church every Sunday. Weston recalls growing up
in the time of big bands, the beginning of bebop, and in a
period of genius and creativity. This influence steered Weston
into making his own music for his own people he states.
Weston explains his belief that all music comes from Africa.
He talks about the musical cultures of Africa and how
African-Americans have inherited this same musical sense and
spiritual language. He discusses the misconceptions of jazz
critics and musicologists; expresses his observations on the
lack of support for jazz. He feels people need to be reminded
that jazz, being both traditional and modern, is the most
advanced music of the 20th century, thus, African-Americans
must realize how much they have contributed to the world.
Weston explains he learned improvisation by mainly listening,
and points out the high level of music he was exposed to of the
1920's, 30's and 40's during his youth. He was an ardent fan of
Coleman Hawkins along with many others. Weston then talks about
his experiences with Sufism, his friendship with Abdul Malik and
exposure to Arab music. He describes hearing Thelonius Monk on
piano for the first time and how it embodied all he was trying
to do with his own music. He relates a unique experience of
visiting Monk at his home and compares this with an experience
of meeting Professor Shaw, a Sufi master, while in Tangier
several years later; both were spiritual events, he felt.
Similarily, Weston explains that African-Americans are spiritual
people, this quality manifests itself in their music. He feels
that the movement of increased interest in people's African
heritage will help strengthen the African-American people.
Weston concludes the interview by briefly telling about his
extensive travels in Africa (where he lived for seven years),
Europe, the Caribbean, Canada, Japan, South America, and the
South Pacific.
Note
Reproduction. Originally produced: New York, N.Y. :Schomburg Center
for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library, 1996.
1 videocassette ; 1/2 in. (MII) VHS.
Use terms
Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact
repository for information.
Biography/History
Randy Weston is a jazz pianist and composer. Born April 6, 1926
in Brooklyn, New York, Weston began playing piano as a youngster.
Partly through his family's influence he has fostered a deep
connection to his African heritage and expresses this through
his music and conversation. He has travelled extensively,
particularly throughout Africa, and attempts to remind his own
people of how much they have contributed to the world.
Weston continues to perform and record.
Note
Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
In
Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project
Subject
Abdul-Malik, Ahmed -- Influence.
Armstrong, Louis, 1900-1970 -- Influence.
Hawkins, Coleman, -- Influence.
Monk, Thelonius -- Influence.
Weston, Randy -- Interviews.
Weston, Randy -- Childhood and youth.
Weston, Randy -- Journeys.
Afro-American musicians.
Afro-Americans -- Foreign countries.
Afro-Americans -- Music -- History and criticism.
Afro-Americans -- Music -- Influence.
Jazz -- United States -- History.
Jazz musicians -- United States -- Interviews.
Music -- African Influences.
Pianists -- United States -- Interviews.
Piano Music (Jazz).
Sufism -- Influence.
Form/genre
Biographies.
Interviews.
Additional name
Ridley, Larry, interviewer.
Weston, Randy Performer.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong
Jazz Oral History Project.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Donor
The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the
Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.
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