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Randy Weston African Rhythms and Souloworks Dances by Andrea E. WoodsAfter contributing four decades of musical direction and genius, Randy
Weston remains one of the world's foremost pianist and composers today,
a true innovator and visionary. Encompassing the vast rhythmic heritage
of Africa, his global creations musically continue to inform and inspire.
Jazz critic Stanley Crouch states, "Weston has the biggest sound
of any jazz pianist since Ellington and Monk, as well as the richest most
inventive beat". Born in Brooklyn, Weston has become an international ambassador of culture, an educator and historian through his music with its resources in the African Diaspora and its ancestral and contemporary reflections. In the 1960's Weston traveled to Africa, lived and settled in Morocco where he developed and maintains a rich collaborative relationship with the Gnawa, the traditional Black musicians of Morocco. In addition Weston has collaborated with vocalist, poets, writers and dancers. For me the most compelling aspect of African culture is its music, magnificent
in its power and diversity, with drums -African rhythms- always at the
heart. All modern music -jazz, gospel, Latin, Rock, calypso, soul, blues,
Reggae, hip Hop, even music of the avant garde - is in debt to African
rhythms. Dancer/Choreographer Andrea E. Woods is a native of Philadelphia and currently based in Brooklyn. As a former dancer/rehearsal director with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company and with her own company, Souloworks/Andrea E. Woods & Dancers Woods has toured nationally and internationally to Taiwan, France, Russia, Morocco, Senegal and Korea. She holds a MAF in Dance Technology from The Ohio State University and is adjunct faculty at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. She calls her dances Souloworks because they are works from the heart, works from the soul. For me dancing is a ritual, an offering and a gift. It is a communion with nature and humanity and the circle is only complete when music, dance and all the guest arrive to celebrate together. Randy's music is so moving to me because it is so deeply rooted in the voices of our ancestors yet so expressive of the here and now and even the future. The rhythms and melodies are structured and familiar but each time we hear Randy same pattern, using spontaneous improvisation as a creative as well as spiritual expression of our culture and humanity. Uhuru Kwanza (Freedom First)...a work of utter conviction. She proved
to be a dancer of emotional depth and technical assurance. Her sense of
balance, in itself was absolutely breathtaking. Andrea E. Woods' solo, Uhuru Kwanza (Freedom First) with superb accompaniment
by pianist Randy Weston, was proud and self-possessed, embodying the strength,
spontaneity and grace that makes her a standout in Jones' company. Woods began working with Randy Weston in 1992 when they performed a solo piano/dance version of Weston's composition Uhuru Kwanza at Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors. Since then Woods has appeared as guest artist with Randy African Rhythms in such venues as: Celebrate Brooklyn, Symphony Space, Williams College and Lincoln Center Damrosch Park. The common ground for both Weston and Woods is their unquestionable joy in and commitment to reflecting the creative, cultural and spiritual message, beauty, dignity and power of the African Diaspora with music and dance. Currently Weston and Woods are presenting a duet evening of works initiated by a new Weston composition Isis. Isis marks the first composition being developed especially for the Weston Woods collaborative process and will be presented with a number of Weston's signature and current compositions.ß |