One of jazz music’s most prolific and creative composers. A tenor (and later soprano) saxophonist of distinction.
He first came to prominence with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in 1959, where he quickly became Art’s musical director and composed many pieces. He moved on to Miles Davis’ second great quintet where he again was a major composer and, according to his bandmate Herbie Hancock, was the only one that Miles didn’t need to rearrange compositions from as they arrived fully-formed. He released loads of excellent albums for Blue Note at that time as well. After leaving Miles he formed the mighty and innovative Weather Report with Joe Zawinul. A close pal of Joni Mitchell’s, he’s played on several of her albums.
He’s no longer playing live, due to health issues, but he’s still composing.
A slightly-late Happy Birthday To You!
If We’re Celebrating Jazz Legends, How About Wayne Shorter. 87 years old this past Tuesday. Still here.
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I was listening to The Weather Report* only yesterday.
(*I call them this because I gather all the new I need from ’em. Har-de-har)
Here he is with MD.
Two of his compositions reimagined:
Jazz Jamaica All Stars – Footprints
.
Steam Down – Etcetera
Footprints is probably his most covered composition.
Here’s Wayne with the Miles Quintet, soon after they recorded it for Miles Smiles
The interaction between him and Jaco Pastorius on A remark you made is to me one of the finest moments in Jazz.
Amen. The Jaco WR is one of the finest bands ever to have trod the boards.
Wayne Shorter is great in this……but Victor Bailey is no slouch either…..
Ace. Nice to see Joe smiling… he’s usually got that look on his face that says “Fuck do you want?”
I saw Joe Zawinul play at Ronnie Scotts in ’98. The BBC were there recording it for “Jazz On 3”. Shook hands with Joe and congratulated him on a magnificent performance by him and his band, The Zawinul Syndicate. A gruff but charming man. Firm handshake.
This….
Speak No Evil was a storming LP – certainly WS’s best as a solo act and arguably in the top five Blue Note releases of the decade…(OOAA)…
His solo album Native Dancer is a lovely Brazilian influenced concoction – this is the opener with Milton Nasciemento on vocals
Have you heard him with Jazz At The Lincon Centre Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis? Only released this year. It’s very good.