SEEING JAZZ with GEORGE WEIN features HISTORIC PHOTOS and CONCERT by RANDY WESTON
THURSDAY, MARCH 11 ~ 7:30 PM
LEONARD NIMOY THALIA at SYMPHONY SPACE
NEW YORK, February 24, 2010 – Take a musical journey at SEEING JAZZ with NEA Jazz Master George Wein as he shows images from his extensive historic photo alb
um and shares anecdotes about his life in jazz on Thursday, March 11, at 7:30 pm at Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, in Manhattan. Following the photo exhibition, the world-renowned jazz impresario welcomes piano giant and fellow NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston for a short conversation about his music and a stellar performance.
Randy Weston, born in Brooklyn in 1926, didn’t have to travel far to hear the early jazz giants that were to influence him. He cites Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Art Tatum and Duke Ellington as his piano heroes, but he says it was Monk who had the greatest impact. Weston’s first recording as a leader was released in 1954 and throughout the decade he played around New York with Cecil Payne and Kenny Dorham. Weston has always made connections between African and American music. His dedication is due in large part to his father, who told his son that he was, “an African born in America.” In the late 60’s, Weston went to Africa, where he settled in Morocco and traveled throughout the continent tasting the musical fruits of other nations. After contributing six decades of musical direction and genius, Randy Weston remains one of the world’s foremost pianists and composers.
Jazz Impresario George Wein is considered to be as much a legend as his festivals. Through his company (now called New Festival Productions, LLC), he has spearheaded hundreds of music events annually since 1954 when he produced the first Newport Jazz Festival – an event that started the festival era. Five years later, Wein and folk icon Pete Seeger founded the Newport Folk Festival where the two music giants celebrated 50 years of folk with 15,000 fans in August 2009. At 84, Wein has as much creative fuel as he did when he started the Newport festivals and advanced the concept of live music. He pioneered the idea of sponsor association with music events, beginning with The Schlitz Salute to Jazz and the Kool Jazz Festival. His company went on to produce titled events for JVC, Mellon Bank, Verizon, Essence, Ben & Jerry’s and others. He continues that tradition with the CareFusion Jazz Festival New York (June 17 – 26) and CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival (August 6 -8).
Tickets to SEEING JAZZ are $25 in advance; $30 Day of Show; $20 for Members. For more information and tickets, call (212) 864-5400 or visit www.symphonyspace.org.
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