Various Artists Shorter Moments – Citizen Wayne

August 25, 2023

Various Artists

Shorter Moments – Citizen Wayne

Posi-Tone

This March we covered Shorter Moments–Exploring the World of Wayne, a Posi-Tone release of various artists interpreting the late Wayne Shorter’s ballads. It was their second tribute to the iconic jazz composer. Now the third and final tribute arrives just the documentary, Zero Gravity, arrives on August 25, 2023, on Prime Video, the same date that would have been Shorter’s 90^th birthday. We will use the same format as we did for the ballads release, to enable your own deep dive into Shorter’s material. 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 stem from Shorter’s ‘60s period either as a leader or sideman with Miles Davis or Art Blakey. These represent a mix of seldom and oft covered, the latter is true for “Infant Eyes,” “Charcoal Blues,” and “Pinocchio.” In each case here, these interpretations are faithful and reverent, and played with utmost restraint. And, if you’d like to assess that statement, check out the corresponding Shorter version in the table. Shorter undoubtedly joins 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 – Citizen Wayne	Original Wayne Shorter Album
1. “Lost” from the 2022 album Art HIrahara Verdant Valley: Art Hirahara – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Rudy Royston – drums, recorded on June 2 & 3, 2021	The Soothsayer – 1965 – Blue Note
2. “Pinocchio” – Willie Morris: Willie Morris – tenor saxophone, Jon Davis – piano, Adi Myerson – bass, EJ Strickland- drums, recorded on November 15, 2022	Miles Davis – Nefertiti – 1967 – Columbia
3. “Mahjong” – Behn Gillece: Behn Gillece – vibraphone, Patrick Cornelius – bass clarinet, Diego Rivera – tenor saxophone, Art Hirahara – piano, Peter Slavov – bass, Vinnie Sperrazza – drums, recorded on November 18, 2022	JuJu –1964 – Blue Note
4. “El Toro” – Blue Moods: Diego Rivera – tenor saxophone, Art Hirahara – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Joe Strasser – drums, recorded on June 5, 2021	Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – The Freedom Rider – 1964– Blue Note
5. “12 More Bars to Go” – Alex Sipiagin from the 2022 album Ascent to the Blues: Alex Sipiagin – trumpet, Diego Rivera – tenor saxophone, Art Hirahara – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Rudy Royston – drums, recorded on September 16, 2021	JuJu –1964 – Blue Note
6. “Tom Thumb” – Blue Moods: Diego Rivera – tenor saxophone, Art Hirahara – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Joe Strasser – drums, recorded on June 5, 2021	Schizophrenia – 1964 – Blue Note
7. “Deluge” – Ed Cherry from the 2012 album It’s All Good: Ed Cherry – guitar, Pat Bianchi -organ, Byron Landham -drums, recorded January 9, 2012	JuJu –1964 – Blue Note
8. “302 Blues” – Willie Morris: Willie Morris – tenor saxophone, Jon Davis – piano, Adi Myerson – bass, EJ Strickland- drums, recorded on November 15, 2022	Adam’s Apple – 1966 – Blue Note
9. “JuJu” – Blue Moods: Diego Rivera – tenor saxophone, David Kikoski – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Joe Strasser – drums, recorded June 5, 2021	JuJu –1964 – Blue Note
10. “Charcoal Blues” – Blue Moods: Diego Rivera – tenor saxophone, David Kikoski – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Joe Strasser – drums, recorded June 5, 2021	Night Dreamer – 1964 – Blue Note
11. “Infant Eyes” – Wayne Escoffery from the 2009 album Uptown: Wayne Escoffery – tenor saxophone, Avi Rothbard – guitar, recorded October 20, 2008	Speak No Evil – 1966 – Blue Note

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

Jim Hynes

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