Credit: Rodger Thomas
One of the biggest visionaries of jazz, Wayne Shorter passed away yesterday.
His work with Art Blakey and Miles Davis brought him recognition and the immediately distinctive sound of his saxophone in Weather Report took him to a worldwide audience. His work spanning over six decades, changed the course of jazz and placed him among the most influential composers of our times. His spiritualism and philosophy were a guiding light to many others.
Serious was proud to work with him in many different settings, which always combined excellence and adventure. John Fordham captured the excitement of his last UK appearance in 2016 here became part of his last album Emanon on Blue Note.
He was a man who always thought deeply about the world around him. At the time of Emanon, he co-authored this statement with Herbie Hancock, which sums up the spirit of the man. You can read it here.
We have been planning a major 90th birthday celebration for Wayne Shorter in this year's EFG London Jazz Festival and this will now become a memorial event - full details will be announced in April.
