Saxophonist Wayne Shorter, one of the most distinctive voices of his jazz generation as a soloist, composer and bandleader, died Thursday at a hospital in Los Angeles, The New York Times reports. H…
Initially counted among hard bop’s foremost young lions of the early ’60s, Shorter developed a personal style that mated forceful swing with a sometimes angular attack that incorporated tenets of the day’s avant-garde players. Originally a star on tenor, he became a lyrical voice on the soprano sax in the electric unit Weather Report. He forged a wholly distinctive and instantly identifiable approach to his instruments.
Shorter first gained major notice as a sideman and writer in two of jazz’s greatest finishing schools, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis’ so-called second great quintet . He simultaneously distinguished himself as a leader on a series of recordings for Blue Note Records. His success as a fusioneer led to work with such pop luminaries as Joni Mitchell, Don Henley and Steely Dan.
Shorter’s stint with Ferguson was short-lived, for in 1959 he was recruited by trumpet prodigy Lee Morgan and drummer Blakey to succeed Hank Mobley in the Jazz Messengers. The saxophonist’s four-year stand with the group, then jazz’s premier hard-bop ensemble, saw the flourishing of his talents as a composer. During the same period, he cut his first dates as a leader for Vee-Jay Records. He was named “new star saxophonist” by Down Beat in 1962.
At the same time, Shorter held a solo contract with Blue Note, for which he had recorded in the Jazz Messengers. He cut eight discs as a leader during this era, including such widely praised sets as “JuJu” , “Speak No Evil” , “The All Seeing Eye” and “Adam’s Apple” . He also worked as a sideman with some of his label colleagues, including Morgan, Williams, Lou Donaldson and McCoy Tyner.
Built around the core of Shorter and Zawinul, and featuring bass phenom Jaco Pastorius at the height of their fame and success, the band recorded 14 studio albums. Two of them, “Tale Spinnin’” and “Heavy Weather” — the latter of which featured the instrumental hit “Birdland” — reached the top 40 of the American album chart. The 1979 live album “8:30” won Shorter his first Grammy, for best jazz fusion performance.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wayne Shorter, jazz musician of innovation and introspection, dies at 89Breaking news: Saxophonist Wayne Shorter dies at 89. He was one of the most influential jazz musicians of the past half-century.
Read more »
Shorter Bulls lose battle of offensive boards in loss to TorontoThe Bulls had too many turnovers, gave up too many offensive rebounds and lost the lead in the final six minutes, losing 104-98 at Toronto on Tuesday. The loss dropped the Bulls further out of the play-in race with 20 games remaining.
Read more »
What 5 women look like before and after getting shorter haircutsInspiration for your next salon visit...
Read more »
Michigan woman awaiting possible shorter prison sentence dies of apparent suicideA Michigan woman was found dead of an apparent suicide in her cell. She was in the middle of serving a life sentence but was awaiting a potential shorter prison sentencing.
Read more »
WSJ News Exclusive | Lil Wayne Sells Contemporary Miami Beach Home for $22.583 MillionLil Wayne is selling his waterfront home in Miami Beach for $22.583 million. The rapper bought the contemporary house for $16.75 million in 2018.
Read more »
BetMGM Bonus Code NPBONUS: Snag $1,000 for Any Game, Including Spurs vs. JazzThe BetMGM bonus code NPBONUS lets new customers claim an incredible bonus for the San Antonio Spurs at the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
Read more »