It's time for a party as we celebrate a milestone for one of jazz's greatest living legends, Wayne Shorter, who has turned 80 this week. The master saxophonist and composer has a remarkable CV that includes unforgettable work with Art Blakey, Miles Davis and his flagship jazz-fusion group Weather Report. Still going strong into his ninth decade Wayne continues to perform with his own quartet – for me one of the greatest groups on the planet. It's this band which is the focus for this week's programme, we’ve highlights from three fantastic quartet concerts recorded for Jazz on 3 over the past 12 years.
Joining me in the studio is BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Trish Clowes who, with the help of her saxophones, demonstrates the Shorter-isms that have had a lasting impact on her own playing and indeed the wider history of jazz. We begin our archive selections with some classic Shorter compositions recorded at the Royal Festival Hall in 2001 – a gig which featured the current line up of Danilo Perez (piano), John Patitucci (double bass) and Brian Blade (drums) in their first UK appearance. They attack the Miles-era 'Masqualero' with dark and intense playing, before superb solos from Perez then Shorter who holds until the final minutes to strike with an energized tenor serving. Moving forward to Edinburgh in 2003, we hear 'Over Shadow Hill Way' – a prime example of why Shorter is rated as one of the best soprano players of all time. Then most recently from 2011 we hear the now mature quartet back in London sounding at their most abstract and free-flowing yet on pieces such as 'Prometheus Unbound' and the playful rhythmic encore 'Flying Down To Rio' where Blade and Patitucci really have some fun.
Of course what would a birthday party be without a few tales of revelry, and messages from old friends – well, we'll also be dipping into some archive interviews with bandmates from across the years, and Mr Shorter himself.
Join me for a celebration of eighty years of “Mr Gone” at 11pm on Monday 26 August or listen online for seven days after broadcast.
Jez
If you have comments about the show, or requests for music you’d like to hear, do get in touch at jazzon3@bbc.co.uk or on Twitter '@BBCJazzon3'.
