Gualala Arts Promoting public interest and participation in the arts since 1961
The Whale & Jazz Series returns to the Gualala Arts Center on Monday, April 13 at 7 p.m. with a rare and powerful tribute to one of jazz’s most visionary figures: pianist, composer, and cultural ambassador Dr. Randy Weston. Tickets are $25 in advance for general admission, +$5 the day of, and $100 for sponsor seating available exclusively online.
Today, the influence of African musical traditions on American jazz is widely acknowledged by scholars, musicians, and audiences alike. But that understanding was far from universal in the mid‑20th century. It was Weston—through his groundbreaking ensemble, Randy Weston’s African Rhythms, and his landmark 1960 recording Uhuru Afrika—who helped cement the music’s deep and undeniable African roots. His bold, Afrocentric approach reshaped the global conversation around jazz and its origins.
Over a career that spanned more than six decades, Weston became one of the world’s most celebrated jazz artists. His contributions earned him numerous honors, including recognition as an NEA Jazz Master and the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, before his passing in 2018 at age 92.
Now, as the jazz world approaches what would have been Weston’s 100th birthday in April 2026, members of his original African Rhythms ensemble are reuniting to celebrate his legacy. Performing as the African Rhythms Alumni Ensemble, the group brings firsthand insight into Weston’s distinctive sound—a fusion of West African drum polyrhythms, Ghanaian highlife influences, and the orchestral jazz piano traditions of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, and Earl Hines.
The ensemble is led by Weston’s longtime musical director and arranger T.K. Blue (saxophone and flute), joined by Chief Baba Neil Clarke (percussion), Alex Blake (bass), Ku‑umba Frank Lacy (trombone), and Sharp Radway (piano). Their close artistic relationships with Weston allow them to channel what he described as the “spirit” of his music—an energy that remains as vibrant and relevant today as ever.
This special concert is presented in honor of the late Fred Adler, whose passion for jazz and dedication to the Whale & Jazz Series helped shape the region’s musical landscape. It is a performance he surely would have cherished.