Composer, playwright, poet, pianist, organist, and keyboardist Weldon Jonathan Irvine Jr. also known as Master Wel . Born in Hampton, Virginia in 1943 he moved to New York City in 1965, settling in the St. Albans, Queens neighbourhood. He was involved with various musical genres including Jazz-Funk, jazz, hip hop, funk, rhythm and blues, and gospel and served as the bandleader for Nina Simone. He was also a mentor to many New York hip-hop artists, including Q-Tip and Mos Def. During his career he released 12 albums between 1972 and 1999 and he wrote more than 500 songs, including the lyrics for "To Be Young, Gifted and Black", performed live for the first time by Simone on the album Black Gold (1970). It has been dubbed the "official" Civil Rights anthem. He also worked alongside Freddie Hubbard, Big Bud, Don Blackman and Richard Groove Holmes.

In 1998, he performed the keys for "Astronomy (8th Light)" on Black Star's album (Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star). In 1999, Weldon contributed on Mos Def's debut solo album Black On Both Sides. His 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. In 2000, he provided the vocal introductions to tracks on the first CD of the album Late Night Blues by UK Drum & Bass producer Big Bud. He co-wrote and performed vocals and played the Fender Rhodes on the first track entitled "Return of Spiritman". He also played the Fender Rhodes on closing track "Persian Blues". He later performed vocals, Fender Rhodes and Hammond organ on the track "Amigo Mio" (also by Big Bud), which appeared on the compilation Earth Volume 5.

Sadly Weldon committed suicide by shooting himself outside of EAB Plaza and in front of the Nassau Coliseum located in Uniondale, New York, on April 9th 2002.

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 NYU Film School.

Also 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.

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.

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.

Artist

Weldon Irvine

Born:

27th October 1943

Passed

9th April 2002

Artist Bio

Featured Tracks

Our mission

We're on a mission to change the way radio is listened to. We want to show the love and appreciation to under played tracks and artists, who have given us such brilliant music but not given the exposure they deserve.

Our vision

To share the love and spread the vibe. Its rare for a reason and long may it stay that way, but now it doesn't have to be a rare occasion to hear quality.