Weldon Irvine

Weldon Irvine (1943-2002) was an American pianist, organist, composer and playwright, born in Hampton, Virginia, and based in Queens, New York, from 1965. He moved between jazz, funk, soul and gospel, led Nina Simone's band and wrote the lyrics of her song "To Be Young, Gifted and Black". In later years he mentored New York hip hop artists. Irvine issued Liberated Brother (1972) and Time Capsule on his own Nodlew Music label, then recorded In Harmony for Strata-East and Cosmic Vortex - Justice Divine, Spirit Man and Sinbad for RCA. His tune "Mr.