Weldon Irvine

Weldon Irvine was an American jazz pianist, composer, and poet who was active from the late 1960s through the late 1990s. He is best known for his association with the jazz-funk fusion scene of the 1970s and his songwriting collaborations with jazz and soul legend, Nina Simone.

Weldon Irvine's standout albums include his 1971 debut album Sinbad, 1974's Liberty and 1975's Spirit Man. Notable songs from these albums include "Morning Sunrise," "Sinbad," and "Music Is The Key," respectively. He is also known for his songwriting collaborations with Nina Simone, including her classic hits "To Be Young, Gifted and Black," "Revolution," and "Ain't Got No-I Got Life."

An interesting fact about Weldon Irvine is that he was a successful poet, and his work was published in anthologies such as The Poets of Black America and The Black Poets. He also wrote and directed a play, His Own Where, which was performed at the Apollo Theater in New York City.