AFRICAN RHYTHMS ALUMNI QUINTET “Celebrating the Centennial of Dr. Randy Weston” T.K. Blue – saxophone/flute/musical director; Chief Baba Neil Clarke

In celebration of the 2026 centennial birthday of the late Dr. Randy Weston, esteemed members of his “African Rhythms” band have rejoined forces to pay tribute to their exceptional leader. The “African Rhythms Alumni Ensemble” honours Dr. Randy Weston’s brilliant integration of African aesthetics with the spirit of jazz that was cultivated by piano legendaries like Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, and Earl Hines. Weston’s trailblazing style includes the dynamic drum polyrhythms of West Africa, the use of jazzy horns and plucked guitars from Ghanaian highlife music, along with Ellington’s orchestral approach to the piano. The “African Rhythms Alumni Ensemble” captures the unique sounds of Weston’s compositions and arrangements, made possible by the world-class musicianship of the Alumni Ensemble’s members, as well as their close and long-term working relationships with Dr. Weston. The Ensemble is led by T.K. Blue (saxophone/flute/musical director) and includes Chief Baba Neil Clarke (percussion), Alex Blake (bass), Ku-umba Frank Lacy (trombone), and Sharp Radway (piano).