Public Programs And Events

Having lived through much of the music’s history, pianist and composer Randy Weston helped author jazz’s story. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1926, a time when “shoeshine boys whistled bebop melodies,” Weston recalls. He didn’t have to travel far to hear the giants that moved him—Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Art Tatum, Duke Ellington and, his deepest influence, Thelonious Monk. In 2001, he was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, and is honored and credited with exemplifying a uniquely American art form. Throughout his career, in formats ranging from solo piano to jazz orchestra, Weston has delved more deeply and with more profound insight than any other musician into jazz’s African roots.

The School of Jazz at the New School has been proud to feature Mr. Weston as our first ever Artist-In-Residence during the academic year of Fall '15-Spring '16.

This concert is the culmination of a year of programs, master classes, and special events. Randy Weston will perform with his legendary African Rhythms Octet, supplemented with students from the School of Jazz. 

Randy Weston and the African Rhythms Octet:

T.K. Blue, alto sax/flute
Alex Blake, bass
Neil Clarke, percussion
Robert Trowers, trombone
Bill Saxton, tenor sax
Eddie Allen, trumpet
Winard Harper, drums
Randy Weston, piano

and a guest appearance by New School Jazz Improv ensemble featuring: 

Paul Tafoya, trumpet
Sunhyun Yoo, alto sax 
Hwansu Kang, bass
Matthias De Waele, drums
Andrea Domenici, piano