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Randy Weston
Even As A Musical Ambassador For The U.S., Randy Weston Has Always Played For Africa

Randy Weston's latest album, The African Nubian Suite, continues a 60-year-commitment to bridging cultures through music. Ariane Smolderen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Ariane Smolderen/Courtesy of the artist

Jazz

Even As A Musical Ambassador For The U.S., Randy Weston Has Always Played For Africa

"When I touch the piano, it becomes an African instrument," says the pianist and composer, who has been bridging cultures through music for some 60 years.

Even As A Musical Ambassador For The U.S., Randy Weston Has Always Played For Africa

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Randy Weston's African Rhythms Trio: Newport Jazz 2011

Randy Weston performs with his African Rhythms Trio on the Quad Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival. Erik Jacobs for NPR hide caption

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Erik Jacobs for NPR

Newport Jazz Festival

Randy Weston's African Rhythms Trio: Newport Jazz 2011

WGBH Radio

Hear the 85-year-old distinctive and imposing piano stylist perform at Newport.

Randy Weston's African Rhythms Trio: Newport Jazz 2011

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Randy Weston On JazzSet

Abdullah El Gourd (with the guembri) and Randy Weston. Junenoire Mitchell/junenoirephotography.com/Courtesy French Institute Alliance Française, New York hide caption

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Junenoire Mitchell/junenoirephotography.com/Courtesy French Institute Alliance Française, New York

Concerts

Randy Weston On JazzSet

WBGO

Our voices are our instruments and our hearts are our drums, says Weston, with his African Rhythms group at NJPAC in Newark on this JazzSet.

Randy Weston On JazzSet

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Music Articles

Randy Weston Links 'African Rhythms' To American Jazz

Jazz piano legend Randy Weston grew up surrounded by some of the greatest musicians in jazz. But it was his deep connection to Africa that inspired his personal style of music. Here, Weston talks about the link between West African music and American jazz, and his autobiography, African Rhythms.

Linking 'African Rhythms' To American Jazz

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Stars Celebrate 30 Years Of Piano Jazz: Set III

Marian McPartland performs at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola. Frank Stewart/Jazz at Lincoln Center hide caption

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Frank Stewart/Jazz at Lincoln Center

Concerts

Stars Celebrate 30 Years Of Piano Jazz: Set III

The anniversary concert featured offerings by Randy Weston, Karrin Allyson, Cedar Walton and more.

Jazz Stars Celebrate 30 Years Of Piano Jazz, Set One 4/14/09

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Stars Celebrate 30 Years Of Piano Jazz: Set I

Kurt Elling performs with pianist Lawrence Hobgood at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home to Jazz at Lincoln Center. Frank Stewart/Jazz at Lincoln Center hide caption

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Frank Stewart/Jazz at Lincoln Center

Concerts

Stars Celebrate 30 Years Of Piano Jazz: Set I

For three decades, Marian McPartland has showcased both jazz veterans and young stars on Piano Jazz, her hour-long NPR program. For the anniversary, past guests Kurt Elling, Karrin Allyson, Randy Weston and many others showed up at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola to celebrate a jazz radio institution.

Jazz Stars Celebrate 30 Years Of Piano Jazz: Set III

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