Jazz Pianist Finds Inspiration in the Music of Africa

By Alex W. Rodriguez for the Star-Ledger

Mr. Weston was a pleasure to talk to during our brief phone interview. Here are some nice quotes I jotted down that didn’t make it into the piece:

On his recently-deceased friend, trombonist Benny Powell: “When Benny played trombone, he spoke with a human voice. He came from that New Orleans, Louis Armstrong tradition. He was a master of the blues. Simplicity, beauty, honesty.”

“I’m only a disciple of all these people who took music and made it more beautiful going another way.”

“Your heart is your drum and your voice is your sound.”

Also, WBGO recorded the whole concert — and you can listen to it for free, anytime!