Wayne Shorter

Wayne Shorter (born August 25, 1933 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American jazz composer and saxophonist.

Related Topics:
August 25 - 1933 - Newark - New Jersey - American - Jazz - Composer - Saxophonist

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In the 1950s and early 1960s he played with Horace Silver, Maynard Ferguson and Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, for whom he eventually became musical director. He played with Blakey from 1959 to 1964. From 1964 to 1970 he played in the Miles Davis Quintet, for which he composed extensively ("Prince of Darkness," "ESP," "Footprints", "Sanctuary," etc.). Herbie Hancock had this to say of Shorter's tenure in the group: "The master writer to me, in that group, was Wayne Shorter. He still is a master. Wayne was one of the few people who brought music to Miles that didn't get changed." In 1970, along with keyboardist Joe Zawinul, bassist Miroslav Vitous, percussionist Airto Moreira, and drummer Alphonse Mouzon, Shorter formed Weather Report, of which he remained a member until 1985. He also recorded critically acclaimed albums as leader, notably Native Dancer, which featured Brazilian composer and vocalist Milton Nascimento, and Atlantis.

Related Topics:
1950s - 1960s - Horace Silver - Maynard Ferguson - Art Blakey - Miles Davis - Joe Zawinul - Miroslav Vitous - Airto Moreira - Alphonse Mouzon - Weather Report - Milton Nascimento

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Though most of Shorter's recordings during the 1960s were under his name, with Blakey or with Davis, he also recorded as a sideman with Donald Byrd, McCoy Tyner, Grachan Moncur III, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, and Miles Davis Quintet bandmates Herbie Hancock and Tony Williams.

Related Topics:
Donald Byrd - McCoy Tyner - Grachan Moncur III - Freddie Hubbard - Lee Morgan - Herbie Hancock - Tony Williams

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Until 1968 he played tenor saxophone exclusively. By the early 1970s, however, he chiefly played soprano saxophone, perhaps because it could be heard more easily among electronic instruments.

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Since leaving Weather Report he has continued to record in jazz fusion styles, as well as more bebop oriented settings.

Related Topics:
Jazz fusion - Bebop

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Shorter has been quite prolific, recording dozens of albums, and appearing on dozens more with others. Many of his recordings for Blue Note Records are regarded as classics. His 2003 album Alegria received a 2004 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Jazz Album.

Related Topics:
Blue Note Records - 2003 - 2004 - Grammy Award

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He is currently touring with pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade.

Related Topics:
Danilo Perez - John Patitucci - Brian Blade

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His brother is trumpeter Alan Shorter.

Related Topics:
Trumpeter - Alan Shorter

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