Weldon Irvine

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Weldon Jonathan Irvine Jr. (October 27, 1943 – April 9, 2002), also known as Master Wel,[1] was an American composer, playwright, poet, pianist, organist, and keyboardist.

Biography

Irvine, an

Civil Rights anthem
.

In 1998, he performed the keys for "Astronomy (8th Light)" on

Amadou Diallo.[2] In 2000, Irvine provided the vocal introductions to tracks on the first CD of the album Late Night Blues[6]
by UK Drum & Bass producer Big Bud. He co-wrote and performed vocals and played the Fender Rhodes on the first track entitled "Return of Spiritman". He also played the Fender Rhodes on closing track "Persian Blues". He later performed vocals, Fender Rhodes and Hammond organ on the track "Amigo Mio" (also by Big Bud), which appeared on the compilation Earth Volume 5.

Irvine committed suicide by shooting himself outside of EAB Plaza and in front of the Nassau Coliseum located in Uniondale, New York, on April 9, 2002.[2][7]

Legacy

In 1976, Weldon's childhood friend Collis Davis produced a documentary The Edification of Weldon Irvine. It was originally Davis' Thesis Film during his time at

NYU Film School
.

In 2003, Madlib, Mr. Dibbs and Breakestra produced a tribute to Weldon Irvine, "Suite for Weldon". The following year, Madlib released the full-length album A Tribute to Brother Weldon.[8]

In 2008, Q-Tip mentions Weldon in his song "Shaka", a tribute to the people who have helped him throughout the years and those who have died.

In 2019, a feature-length documentary, Digging for Weldon Irvine, was released by director Victorious De Costa.[9]

In 2023, P-VINE acquired the catalog and associated copyrights owned by the estate of Weldon Irvine, for a worldwide territory, including works released from Nodlew Music, hitherto unreleased works, the copyright to "To Be Young, Gifted and Black", and other master recording rights and copyrights owned by the manager of the estate and Irvine’s widow Pauline Cole.[10]

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Richard Groove Holmes

  • Comin' on Home
    (Blue Note, 1971)

With Freddie Hubbard

With Big Bud

With Donald Blackman

Charted singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions
AUS
[11]
"When I Was a Sperm" 1995 26

References

  1. ^ a b "Weldon Irvine". Nathaniel Turner. Retrieved December 15, 2006.
  2. ^ a b c "Weldon Irvine: Biography". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 15, 2006.
  3. ^ "Digging For Weldon Irvine". docnrollfestival.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  4. ^ "Weldon Irvine". artistdirect.com. Retrieved December 15, 2006.
  5. ^ "Mos Def - Black On Both Sides (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs. October 1999. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  6. ^ "Big Bud - Late Night Blues (CD, Album)". Discogs. May 2000. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  7. ^ "Music and Suicide: A Tragic History". BET. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  8. ^ Nikhil Yerwadekar. "Yesterday's New Quintet". Hip Hop Site. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2006.
  9. ^ "Digging for Weldon Irvine". Digging for Weldon Irvine. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  10. ^ "Notice of Agreement Concerning the Acquisition of WELDON IRVINE's Master Rights and Copyrights - ニュース - P-VINE, Inc".
  11. ^ "Discography Master Wel". australian-charts.com. Retrieved August 25, 2022.

External links