Melba Liston served as Randy Weston’s arranger and collaborator for decades, creating legendary recordings together such as Little Niles and Uhuru Afrika. The NEC Jazz Orchestra celebrates the musical partnership in African Cookbook: Music of Randy Weston and Melba Liston on Thursday, February 26 at Jordan Hall. The 7:30 p.m. concert conducted by Ken Schaphorst will include Liston‘s work with Weston as well as her work with other artists, including Art Blakey, Quincy Jones, and Dizzy Gillespie. The concert is free but tickets are required. For information visit necmusic.edu.
Melba Liston (1926–1999) was an American trombonist, composer, and arranger whose work helped shape the sound of modern jazz. One of the few prominent female instrumentalists of her era, she performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and Quincy Jones, but she was best known for her long creative partnership with Randy Weston, crafting lush, innovative arrangements that blended jazz and African influences. Equally skilled as a performer and behind the scenes, Liston broke barriers in a male-dominated field and left an enduring mark as a pioneering arranger and trailblazing woman in jazz.
Randy Weston (1926–2018) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader whose music fused African rhythms and traditions with the jazz idiom. Deeply influenced by his Brooklyn upbringing and travels in Africa, Weston created a distinctive, percussive piano style and composed works that celebrated African heritage. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he collaborated with legends like Melba Liston and built cultural bridges between continents through music. A tireless ambassador for African-inspired jazz, Weston left a legacy as both an innovator and a cultural historian.
As an independent, not-for-profit institution that educates and trains musicians of all ages from around the world, NEC is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools. It cultivates a diverse, dynamic community, providing music students of more than 40 countries with performance opportunities and high-caliber training from 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of music-making and teaching through college-level training in classical, jazz, and contemporary musical arts. The newly launched Institute for Concert Artists propels such young artists to the heights of their potential. Through unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships, the Conservatory empowers students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC’s mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, NEC’s Expanded Education programs deliver training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students, and adults.
Melba Liston (1926–1999) was an American trombonist, composer, and arranger whose work helped shape the sound of modern jazz. One of the few prominent female instrumentalists of her era, she performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and Quincy Jones, but she was best known for her long creative partnership with Randy Weston, crafting lush, innovative arrangements that blended jazz and African influences. Equally skilled as a performer and behind the scenes, Liston broke barriers in a male-dominated field and left an enduring mark as a pioneering arranger and trailblazing woman in jazz.
Randy Weston (1926–2018) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader whose music fused African rhythms and traditions with the jazz idiom. Deeply influenced by his Brooklyn upbringing and travels in Africa, Weston created a distinctive, percussive piano style and composed works that celebrated African heritage. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he collaborated with legends like Melba Liston and built cultural bridges between continents through music. A tireless ambassador for African-inspired jazz, Weston left a legacy as both an innovator and a cultural historian.
About New England Conservatory (NEC)
Founded by Eben Tourjée in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1867, New England Conservatory (NEC) represents a new model of music school that combines the best of European tradition with American innovation. The school stands at the center of Boston’s rich cultural history and musical life, presenting concerts at the renowned Jordan Hall. Propelled by profound artistry, bold creativity, and deep compassion, NEC seeks to amplify musicians’ impact on advancing our shared humanity and empowers students to meet today’s changing world head-on, equipped with the tools and confidence to forge multidimensional lives of artistic depth and relevance. The Conservatory’s roster of alumni includes hundreds of music's most influential artists. That list includes Coretta Scott King, Florence Price, Tessa Lark, George Li, Inmo Yang, Yura Lee, Stefan Jackiw, Anthony Leon, Erica Petrocelli, Minsoo Sohn, Cecil Taylor, and Denyce Graves.As an independent, not-for-profit institution that educates and trains musicians of all ages from around the world, NEC is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools. It cultivates a diverse, dynamic community, providing music students of more than 40 countries with performance opportunities and high-caliber training from 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of music-making and teaching through college-level training in classical, jazz, and contemporary musical arts. The newly launched Institute for Concert Artists propels such young artists to the heights of their potential. Through unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships, the Conservatory empowers students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC’s mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, NEC’s Expanded Education programs deliver training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students, and adults.
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