Various Artists

Shorter Moments – Blue Ballads

Posi-Tone

Even before the iconic Wayne Shorter passed just this past March, we had seen tributes to him in recent years by many artists across many labels. In fact, this one, Posi- Tone issued their first installment of Shorter Moments–Exploring the World of Wayne in 2021.  This next version, as the title indicates, focuses on the saxophonist/composer’s ballads repertoire, many of which are already standards of sorts. As you glean the list of artists below, you should recognize many from the label that we have covered on these pages. Note that all of these were sourced from Shorter’s ‘60s period either as a leader of sideman with Lee Morgan or Miles Davis. Even Etcetera was recorded during that same period but not released for whatever reason until 1980.  Many of these are oft covered especially “Infant Eyes,” “Fall,” “Nefertiti,” and “Miyako.” In each case here, these interpretations are faithful and reverent, and played with utmost restraint. And, if you’d like to test that statement, check out the corresponding Shorter version in the table. When the annals of jazz are put to rest Shorter will undoubtedly join this elite group of composers as the best in the past 70 years – Ellington, Parker, Mingus, Monk, Miles, Corea, Coltrane, and Ornette Coleman along with perhaps a few others.

Posi-tone – Shorter Moments – Blue Ballads	Original Wayne Shorter Album
1. “Teru” from the 2022 album Diego Rivera Mestizo: Diego Rivera – tenor sax, Art Hirahara – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Rudy Royston – drums, recorded on June 6, 2021,	Adams Apple – 1967 – Blue Note
2. “Nefertiti” – Josh Lawrence from the 2023 album And That Too: Josh Lawrence – trumpet, Art Hirahara – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Jason Tiemann – drums, recorded on June 8, 2021	Miles Davis – Nefertiti – 1967 – Columbia
3. “Dear Sir” – Markus Howell from the 2019 album Get Right!: Markus Howell – flute, Joe Magnarelli – flugelhorn, Art Hirahara – piano, Rodney Whitaker – bass, Luther Allison – drums, recorded on September 17, 2018	Lee Morgan – The Procrastinator – 1967 – Blue Note
4. “Miyako” – Alex Sipiagin from the 2021 album Upstream: Alex Sipiagin – flugelhorn, Art Hirahara – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Rudy Royston – drums, recorded on October 24, 2020	Schizophrenia – 1969 – Blue Note
5. “Penelope” – Blue Moods: Diego Rivera – tenor saxophone, David Kikoski – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Joe Strasser – drums, recorded on June 5, 2021	Etcetera – 1980 – Blue Note
6. “Iris” – Alexa Tarantino from the 2021 album Firefly Alexa Tarantino – alto saxophone, Behn Gillece – vibraphone, Art Hirahara – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Rudy Royston – drums, recorded September 15, 2020	Miles Davis – E.S.P. -1965 – Columbia
7. “Fall” – Altin Sencalar: Altin Sencalar – trombone, Art Hirahara – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Rudy Royston – drums, recorded on February 6, 2023	Miles Davis – Nefertiti – 1967 – Columbia
8. “Infant Eyes” – Alex Sipiagin from the 2022 album Ascent To The Blues: Alex Sipiagin – flugelhorn, Art Hirahara – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Rudy Royston – drums, recorded on September 20, 2021	Speak No Evil – 1966 – Blue Note
9. “Virgo” – Roxy Coss from the 2017 album Chasing The Unicorn: Roxy Coss – bass clarinet, Glenn Zaleski – piano, Rick Rosato – bass; Jimmy Macbride – drums, recorded on September 21, 2016	Night Dreamer – 1964 – Blue Note

 

Here’s hoping this provides a little more grist for your deep dive into Wayne Shorter’s storied legacy.

• Jim Hynes

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