Legendary jazz musicians have one thing in common: No matter what instrument they may play … they almost never play the same song twice.

Randy Weston was a legendary pianist whose lifelong dedication to honouring the African roots of jazz produced 51 albums in a 54 year career; and in each performance, the very nature of jazz became a musical conversation between artists.

Jazz is a language unto itself

Themes emerge, solos shift and crest like ocean waves, and the steady beats hold everything together as the listener is taken on a journey. When the music leads and your heart follows, that’s jazz.

Two nights - 5 legendary musicians

The African Rhythms Alumni Ensemble (ARAE), featuring five legendary musicians who were part of Randy Weston’s original African Rhythms band, take the stage in Winnipeg for two extraordinary performances on Saturday, November 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 30 at 2:00 p.m. at the Berney Theatre, Asper Jewish Community Campus, 123 Doncaster Street.

Limited Tickets Still Available

Listen for yourself

Check out the African Rhythms Alumni Ensemble playing at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Masters Tribute Concert.

A Celebration of Roots, Rhythm, and Connection

Featuring an ensemble of master musicians including Chief Baba Neil Clarke (percussion), Alex Blake (acoustic bass), Sharp Radway (piano), Robert Trowers (trombone) and under the musical direction of T. K. Blue (saxophone, flute, kalimba), the group represents a living legacy of the late Randy Weston, one of jazz’s most visionary composers.

A Living Tribute to Randy Weston

“Randy Weston believed that jazz was a bridge connecting people across cultures and continents,” says Charlene Diehl, Producer of the Izzy Asper Jazz Performances. “That belief is at the heart of this ensemble and at the heart of our series. It is exactly the kind of artistic vision Izzy Asper wanted to share with Winnipeg; music that uplifts, connects, and tells our shared human story.”

Explore rare footage of Dr. Randy Weston — the NEA Jazz Master who founded the original African Rhythms Ensemble — performing alongside T.K. Blue. (Video Credit: Philippe Déjardin)

Honouring Izzy Asper’s Vision

Now in its 26th season, the Izzy Asper Jazz Performances remain one of Winnipeg’s most beloved arts traditions.

It was Izzy Asper’s dream to make world-class jazz accessible to his city and to bring the best artists from across the globe to a Winnipeg stage, igniting the same passion for jazz that inspired him.

Through the continued generosity and vision of The Asper Foundation, that dream not only endures but grows. In May 2025, The Asper Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving cultural landscape in Winnipeg by increasing funding to Rady JCC’s arts and cultural programming through their newly developed Asper Cultural Enrichment Initiative, including the Izzy Asper Jazz Performances.

Tickets

Individual student and adult tickets for the African Rhythms Alumni Ensemble are still available. Seats can be purchased by clicking here.

Media Contacts

For questions or interview requests:

Charlene Diehl
Producer, Izzy Asper Jazz Performances
asperjazzproduction@gmail.com

Laura Marjovsky
Director of Programming, Rady JCC
lmarjovsky@radyjcc.com | 204.477.7539