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Weldon Irvine was an American jazz pianist, composer, and organist, born on October 27, 1943, in Hampton, Virginia. He passed away on April 9, 2002, in Uniondale, New York. A pivotal figure in the jazz-funk fusion genre, Irvine was also the band leader for Nina Simone and made significant contributions to the 1970s Black Arts Movement. He wrote over 500 songs and more than 50 theatre plays, playing an integral role in the evolution of hip hop from its inception through its golden era, influencing artists such as Mos Def and Q-Tip with his heavy jazz-laden sampling. His dedicated mentorship in his long-time residence of Jamaica/St. Albans, Queens, helped develop many well-known figures in jazz today. Since 2023, all works related to him are controlled worldwide by .

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