This American pianist has spent several years in Morocco studying the different musics, particularly that of the Gnaoua. Earlier this year, the Contemporary Music
Network brought the Randy Weston Quintet and Gnaoua musicians to this country for a series of concerts, in which they played the hajouj, the karkba and the tambours.
Geoffrey Smith introduces a recording of their concert at the Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham, which included two solo piano pieces by Weston - Night in Mbari and High Flying.
During the interval, Randy Weston talks to Geoffrey Smith about his musical education and the influence of George Russell ,
Thelonius Monk and Africa.
Producer Derek Drescher