From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Weldon Jonathan Irvine, Jr. (October 27, 1943 –
April 9, 2002), also known Master Wel,[1]
was an American
composer, playwright, poet, pianist and organist.
Biography
Irvine, an African American, was born in Hampton,
Virginia on October 27, 1943. He moved to New York City in
1965.[2]
He was involved with various musical genres including Jazz-Funk, jazz, hip hop, funk, rhythm and blues, and gospel.[1]
He served as the bandleader for jazz singer Nina Simone and was a mentor to many New York hip-hop artists,
including Q-Tip and Mos Def. He wrote over 500 songs,[3]
including the lyrics for "To Be
Young, Gifted, and Black", performed live for the first time by
Nina Simone on the
album Black Gold (1970). It became
the official Civil Rights anthem.
Irvine's last major project was The Price
of Freedom (1999), a compilation of original songs by
hip-hop, jazz, funk, and R&B artists to respond to the shooting
of Amadou
Diallo.[2]
Irvine committed suicide
outside of EAB Plaza and in front of the Nassau Coliseum
located in Uniondale, New York on April 9,
2002.[2]
In 2004, Madlib produced a
tribute to Weldon Irvine, A Tribute to Brother Weldon.[4]
Discography
- 1972: Liberated Brother (Nodlew)
- 1973: Time Capsule (Nodlew)
- 1974: Cosmic Vortex (Justice Divine)
- 1974: In Harmony (Strata-East Records)
- 1975: Spirit Man (RCA)
- 1976: Sinbad (RCA)
- 1979: The Sisters (Saucerman)
- 1994: Music Is the Key (Luv N Haight)
- 1995: Keyboards Wild DJ's Smile (Tuff City
Records)
- 1998: Embrace the Positive (Nodlew)
- 2000: The Amadou Project: The Price of Freedom
(Nodlew)
References
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