Weldon Irvine
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
In 1998, he performed the keys for "Astronomy (8th Light)" on
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
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
- 1972: Liberated Brother (Nodlew)
- 1973: Time Capsule (Nodlew)
- 1974: Cosmic Vortex - Justice Divine (RCA Records)
- 1974: In Harmony (Strata-East)
- 1975: Spirit Man (RCA Records)
- 1976: Sinbad (RCA Records)
- 1979: The Sisters (Saucerman)
- 1989: Weldon & The Kats (Nodlew)
- 1994: Music Is the Key (Luv N Haight)
- 1995: Keyboards Wild DJ's Smile (Tuff City Records)
- 1998: Embrace the Positive (Nodlew)
- 1999: The Amadou Project: The Price of Freedom (Nodlew)
As sideman
- Comin' on Home(Blue Note, 1971)
With Freddie Hubbard
- Straight Life (CTI, 1971)
With Big Bud
- Late Night Blues (Good Looking Records, 2000)
- Earth Volume 5 (Track: Amigo Mio) (Good Looking Records, 2001)
With Donald Blackman
- Listen (Expansion Records, 2002)
Charted singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
AUS [11] | ||
"When I Was a Sperm" | 1995 | 26 |
References
- ^ a b "Weldon Irvine". Nathaniel Turner. Retrieved December 15, 2006.
- ^ a b c "Weldon Irvine: Biography". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 15, 2006.
- ^ "Digging For Weldon Irvine". docnrollfestival.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ "Weldon Irvine". artistdirect.com. Retrieved December 15, 2006.
- ^ "Mos Def - Black On Both Sides (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs. October 1999. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ^ "Big Bud - Late Night Blues (CD, Album)". Discogs. May 2000. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ^ "Music and Suicide: A Tragic History". BET. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
- ^ Nikhil Yerwadekar. "Yesterday's New Quintet". Hip Hop Site. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2006.
- ^ "Digging for Weldon Irvine". Digging for Weldon Irvine. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ "Notice of Agreement Concerning the Acquisition of WELDON IRVINE's Master Rights and Copyrights - ニュース - P-VINE, Inc".
- ^ "Discography Master Wel". australian-charts.com. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
External links
- Weldon Irvine at AllMusic