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CNN Sunday Morning
Interview With Randy Weston
Aired September 22, 2002 - 11:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KRIS OSBORN, CNN ANCHOR: By now you might recognize that splendid little animation. California's Monterey Jazz Festival is music to your ears and -- yes -- for your soul as well.
Now it's in its 45th year. It's the longest running event of its kind. And sure enough our own Daryn Kagan joins us live from the festival with a special guest. My ears are ready. Hey, Daryn.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kris, I'm getting so spoiled. This is the kind of wake up call that I would like to get every morning -- live jazz. It's been such a pleasure. And we're saving some of the biggest names for last.
Mr. Randy Weston -- all six foot seven of him -- getting up early here in Monterey to give us a little taste of his music. Good morning.
RANDY WESTON, JAZZ MUSICIAN: Good morning.
KAGAN: This is kind of a welcome home for you because you last played here back in 1966.
WESTON: Exactly.
KAGAN: And we had a chance to visit a little bit before we became live on CNN. You were telling me that you have one of the greats in your mind. Some of the greatest names have played right here on the stage where we are sitting this morning. And you were thinking of none other than Mr. Lionel Hampton who passed away not that long ago.
WESTON: Yeah -- I was thinking of Lionel because I've always been interested in African culture and civilization. And my very first trip to Nigeria Lionel Hampton was on the same trip and he took eight members of his band. And I had a chance to play with him and I was so awed. And he was such a great, great master -- he is.
KAGAN: And feeling nostalgic and also feeling the African influence that people -- that your fans know goes throughout your music. You're going to give us a little taste this morning.
WESTON: Of course.
KAGAN: Let's listen in. And what is this?
WESTON: This is a piece called "Blue Moses." It was inspired by the Ganowa (ph) people of Morocco.
(MUSIC)
KAGAN: Beautiful. What a lovely way to start the morning here in Monterey. We've talked throughout our coverage here about how this is an international event.
Your last gig -- you said you came here via Tangier?
WESTON: Exactly. Yeah -- I played in Tangier in a wonderful festival. And I played with the traditional musicians of Morocco and Tangier. And it was really very special -- very spiritual.
KAGAN: Well, you made our morning special here. And you'll be playing later here -- performing later for the crowd?
WESTON: Yes. We have two wonderful concerts with some incredible musicians -- Billy Harper, Telly Kenway (ph), Barry Powell (ph), Alice Glick (ph) and Neil Clark -- fantastic musicians.
KAGAN: We are looking forward to it. And in addition to Randy Weston also Nancy Wilson, Ramsey Lewis and Dave Brubeck all performing here at the Monterey Jazz Festival. It promises, Kris, to be a very special day. Back to you.
OSBORN: Absolutely, Daryn. I don't know what to say. I'm so serene from having heard that music.
KAGAN: Wake up. Come on -- you've got some news to do now.
OSBORN: That's right.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 22, 2002 - 11:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KRIS OSBORN, CNN ANCHOR: By now you might recognize that splendid little animation. California's Monterey Jazz Festival is music to your ears and -- yes -- for your soul as well.
Now it's in its 45th year. It's the longest running event of its kind. And sure enough our own Daryn Kagan joins us live from the festival with a special guest. My ears are ready. Hey, Daryn.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kris, I'm getting so spoiled. This is the kind of wake up call that I would like to get every morning -- live jazz. It's been such a pleasure. And we're saving some of the biggest names for last.
Mr. Randy Weston -- all six foot seven of him -- getting up early here in Monterey to give us a little taste of his music. Good morning.
RANDY WESTON, JAZZ MUSICIAN: Good morning.
KAGAN: This is kind of a welcome home for you because you last played here back in 1966.
WESTON: Exactly.
KAGAN: And we had a chance to visit a little bit before we became live on CNN. You were telling me that you have one of the greats in your mind. Some of the greatest names have played right here on the stage where we are sitting this morning. And you were thinking of none other than Mr. Lionel Hampton who passed away not that long ago.
WESTON: Yeah -- I was thinking of Lionel because I've always been interested in African culture and civilization. And my very first trip to Nigeria Lionel Hampton was on the same trip and he took eight members of his band. And I had a chance to play with him and I was so awed. And he was such a great, great master -- he is.
KAGAN: And feeling nostalgic and also feeling the African influence that people -- that your fans know goes throughout your music. You're going to give us a little taste this morning.
WESTON: Of course.
KAGAN: Let's listen in. And what is this?
WESTON: This is a piece called "Blue Moses." It was inspired by the Ganowa (ph) people of Morocco.
(MUSIC)
KAGAN: Beautiful. What a lovely way to start the morning here in Monterey. We've talked throughout our coverage here about how this is an international event.
Your last gig -- you said you came here via Tangier?
WESTON: Exactly. Yeah -- I played in Tangier in a wonderful festival. And I played with the traditional musicians of Morocco and Tangier. And it was really very special -- very spiritual.
KAGAN: Well, you made our morning special here. And you'll be playing later here -- performing later for the crowd?
WESTON: Yes. We have two wonderful concerts with some incredible musicians -- Billy Harper, Telly Kenway (ph), Barry Powell (ph), Alice Glick (ph) and Neil Clark -- fantastic musicians.
KAGAN: We are looking forward to it. And in addition to Randy Weston also Nancy Wilson, Ramsey Lewis and Dave Brubeck all performing here at the Monterey Jazz Festival. It promises, Kris, to be a very special day. Back to you.
OSBORN: Absolutely, Daryn. I don't know what to say. I'm so serene from having heard that music.
KAGAN: Wake up. Come on -- you've got some news to do now.
OSBORN: That's right.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
