QHow many musicians can boast a 70-year career? Wayne Shorter“king of the saxophone” who just passed away at the age of 89 years old, is among them. Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1933, he began to study music pushed by his fatherwho had glimpsed an artistic talent in him. He soon became a professional on the soprano saxophonebut also successfully experimented with the clarinet.
Wayne Shorter in 2018. (Getty Images)
Worked with Miles David
During his career, which spanned seven decades, he collaborated with the great American trumpeter and composer Miles Davisconsidered a “musical genius” and one of the most influential, innovative and original musicians of the 20th century.
In addition to defining the merger jazz-rocka style that Wayne Shorter cultivated for a long time, founding, with pianist Joe Zawinul, i Weather Report, did not disdain forays into other genres. For a decade, in the 1970s, he also worked with Joni Mitchellcontributing to the creation of ten of his albums.
Wayne Shorter and the collaboration with Pino Daniele
Also, duet with Carlos Santana (in albums The Swing of Delight And This Is This) and also played a role in the Italian music: in 1982 he donated a cameo in the song Beautiful Mbriana Of Pine Daniel, an artist with whom he was a great friend. And to whom he dedicated these words of esteem and affection: Pino Daniele «was the gypsy from Naples, a innovator, a musician at 360 degrees. He wanted change the music of his city, moreover city of music. And he did it.”
Below, the piece by Pino Daniele which boasts the collaboration of Wayne Shorter.
The awards won by Wayne Shorter
In 1995 Wayne Shorter released the album High Life – for which he wrote and arranged all the songs – Grammy Award winner as best contemporary jazz album. But this was certainly not the only important prize that the saxophonist has won: in total, during his career he has won well 12 Grammy Awards out of 23 nominations received.
Wayne Shorter at the North Sea Jazz Festival (Getty Images)
Five years ago it is withdrawn from the scene due to health problems, without however ever stopping his work composer. Until last March 2, the day on which he passed away in his home in Los Angeles.
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