Joe DiMonte

Concert Review: Randy Weston's quintet blends cultures beautifully
Saturday, December 08, 2007
By Nate Guidry, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Making his first appearance in Pittsburgh in nearly 25 years, pianist/composer Randy Weston last night delivered an intoxicating blend of multicultural rhythms.

Performing the first of five concerts at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild with his African Rhythm Quintet, the 81-year-old Weston, standing at 6 feet 7, looms over the music both figuratively and musically.

His excellent quintet featured trombonist Robert Trowers and alto saxophonist and flutist T.K. Blue. Also joining Weston was his longtime rhythm section, percussionist Neil Clarke and acoustic bassist Alex Blake, who stomps his feet, hums and slaps and thumps the bass in unison with the beat.

Anyone familiar with Weston knows of his abiding love for Africa, and most of the music during last night's concert drew its inspiration from somewhere on the continent. Even when he performed "Bed-Stuy," a homage to the Brooklyn neighborhood where he grew up, the music was filled with African rhythms.

He talked briefly about the creation of music before launching into "The Healers," a powerful original that featured Blue on flute. He followed with "African Sunrise," a piece composed in honor of trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and Machito, the Afro-Cuban bandleader who was one of the first musicians to fuse Cuban rhythms with jazz improvisation.

After performing "African Cookbook," Weston reprised "Hi-Fly," one of his most enduring compositions.

wiseone2

Mr. Blake, the bass player, is also born on OUR birthday. Come to think of it so is Cameron Brown, another bassist.
Wilmer

Joe DiMonte

Had we had this exchange prior to Mr.Weston's Saturday's performance,I would have invited Mr.Blake to join me in a pre Dec 21 toast .
The Guild operates a 'dry bar' prior to performances and somehow the music sounds better when my palate is wet and moist.
Unlike you musicians who flat your 5 th's, I prefer to drink it :)