Wayne Shorter—Innovative Saxophonist and Prolific Composer

Wayne Shorter—Innovative Saxophonist and Prolific Composer

The passing of Wayne Shorter at age 89 on March 2, 2023 was a sad occasion for his many fans. Shorter had a career as a jazz saxophonist that spanned almost 70 years. Even after he stopped performing in 2018 due to health concerns, he continued to compose music. 

Shorter was born in Newark, New Jersey, on August 25, 1933. He had an older brother named Alan. Wayne’s mother encouraged her sons to be creative, even excusing them from chores so that they could use their imagination while playing. Wayne and Alan enjoyed reading comic books and recalling film music they heard while at the movies. Wayne hoped to become an artist one day. A watercolor painting of his won first prize in a contest held for children. His artistic talent enabled him to gain admission to the Newark Arts High School. However, after listening to a New York jazz radio program, he became fond of bebop. At age 15, Shorter began taking clarinet lessons. Later he switched to the tenor saxophone. Shorter was influenced by jazz legends such as Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and Coleman Hawkins.

Wayne performed with local jazz bands so he could save money for college tuition. He majored in music education at New York University, though he wasn’t keen on becoming a music teacher. 

After graduation, Wayne was inducted into the U.S. Army, where he served for two years. He continued to play saxophone while in the Army. After his discharge, he joined Maynard Ferguson’s band for a brief time. He quit when drummer Art Blakey offered Shorter a spot with the Jazz Messengers. He was encouraged to compose music for the Jazz Messengers during his five-year stint and eventually became the group’s music director.  

Shorter went on to join the Miles Davis’ Second Great Quintet in 1964. He released eight solo records on the Blue Note label, most of them while he was in Davis’ group. One of his classic compositions, “Footprints,” first appeared on Shorter’s Adams Apple album in 1966. The song was later recorded for Davis’ Miles Smiles album in 1967. With its 6/4 time signature and bluesy melody in the C Dorian mode, “Footprints” perhaps is the composition most associated with Shorter. 

After the quintet broke up in 1968, Shorter continued to collaborate with Davis, appearing on the studio albums, In a Silent Way and Bitches’ Brew. In 1970, Shorter went on to become a founding member of Weather Report, along with keyboardist Joe Zawinul, bassist Miroslav Vitous, and others. Weather Report enjoyed phenomenal popularity and acclaim, thanks to its fusion of jazz, funk, rhythm and blues, and other musical genres. During his 14 years with Weather Report, Shorter played both tenor and soprano sax and composed music for his bandmates.

 He continued to record albums under his own name and worked on side projects with other musicians, including Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell, and Carlos Santana. Shorter also toured and recorded albums as a member of V.S.O.P. during the late 1970s and early 1980s. 

Shorter returned to acoustic jazz in 2000, forming a quartet with pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade. The Wayne Shorter Quartet released several live albums.  Shorter received numerous Grammy nominations and awards during his lifetime. In his later years, he worked on an ambitious project, an orchestral suite titled Emanon. He also composed an opera titled Iphigenia, inspired by Euripides’ play. It debuted in 2021.  

Patricia Martin 

6 Tunes to Celebrate International Jazz Day

What better way to come together as a global community during a pandemic than to celebrate International Jazz Day on April 30th? Founded in 2011 by the United Nations, this day aims “to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.” And this year, with many of the events being streamed online, you can enjoy all the fun and learning that this special day has to offer from the comfort of your home. To gear up for the day, we’ve collected a variety of jazz classics and modern renditions that showcase the history and diversity of jazz.

Louis Armstrong – I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby

We’ve all heard of Louis Armstrong before—the widely influential jazz musician from New Orleans who’s most famous for “It’s A Wonderful World”—but have you ever listened to his first crossover hit from 1929? Featuring Armstrong on muted trumpet, as a vocalist and on open trumpet, this song really showcases the jazz legend’s multitude of talents. 

Miles Davis – “Walkin’”

At the first Newport Jazz Festival in 1954, Davis’s performance of “Walkin” announced a new subgenre of jazz—hard bob—to the world. Incorporating influences from rhythm and blues and gospel, hard pop has a rollicking, rhythmic feeling that offers an excellent backdrop for you to get ready for International Jazz Day. Turn on this song while you grab yourself a drink and queue up your virtual feast of jazz music from around the world.

Eliane Elias – So Nice (Samba de Verao)

Blending her Brazilian roots, her sensuous voice and her instrumental jazz, classical and compositional skills, Elias creates a style that is uniquely hers. Her 2004 rendition of this bossa nova and jazz standard, originally composed by Marcos Valle, showcases her soft rhythms and silky, sultry vocals. This song will make you want to wiggle your hips ever so slightly to the beat.

Lwanda Gogwana – Ucing’ Uyandazi

Born in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, Gogwana is a trumpeter and composer who fuses traditional Xhosa music with jazz harmonies and contemporary musical elements. This song comes from his 2016 album, Uhadi Synth, which was inspired by the Uhadi musical bow, a traditional Xhosa instrument, and the electronic synthesizer.

Janis Siegal, John di Martino & Lonnie Plaxico – Whenever You Come Around

Siegal, di Martino and Plaxico morph this country song into a funky, soulful version that evokes the style of Booker T. & the M.G.’s. Originally produced by A Vince Gill in 1994, “Whenever You Come Around” has direct message of love, which is something we could all use a bit more of in today’s day and age.

Lorca Hart Trio – Here’s That Rainy Day

Released in 2020 by The Lorca Hart Trio featuring Ralph Moore, this new rendition of the jazz standard creates a smooth, relaxed feeling that’ll help you wind down after the day’s excitement.

If those last two songs—Whenever You Come Around and Here’s That Rainy Day—caught your fancy, then check out the other songs on those albums! Cryin’ in My Whiskey and Colors of Jazz are both are available right now in our store.

This post was written by Blog Editor, Jacqueline Knirnschild.

Who Was Oliver Nelson? – A Look at a Great Jazz Saxophone Player’s Life

Oliver Nelson might not have been among the jazz world’s most famous saxophone players, but he made a huge impact during his short career. Read on to learn more about this jazz legend.

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Listen to Jazz Musicians, The Willie Jones III All-Stars on St. Louis Public Radio’s Jazz Unlimited

Looking for New Music from The Willie Jones III All-Stars? Hear the latest from these famous jazz musicians on the November 24th episode of Jazz Unlimited. Learn more about it on our blog.

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Five Ways to Stay Calm and Happy This Holiday Season

The holiday season emphasizes peace, love, and joy, but stress and anxiety can sneak uninvited among the celebrations with our families and loved ones. With political tensions, overcrowded terminals, family disputes, gift-giving pressures, and expectations for perfection, we can easily lose sight of what the holidays should be about. To help set positive intentions this season, here is a list of five simple things you can do to keep yourself calm and happy through the busy weeks ahead.

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