Shorter, Wayne (1933-2023), was an important American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. Shorter performed in some of the most influential jazz groups of the 1900’s. From 1959 to 1964, he played with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, eventually becoming the group’s music director. He was the saxophonist in trumpeter Miles Davis’s dominant quintet from 1964 to 1970. In 1970, Shorter and the Austrian pianist Joe Zawinul founded the jazz combo Weather Report. This group became a leader in the fusion style, which blended jazz and rock music. Shorter also toured and recorded with the jazz pianist Herbie Hancock.
Shorter began his career performing on the tenor saxophone. He added the soprano saxophone in 1968. Shorter’s best-known compositions include “Lester Left Town” (1960), “Speak No Evil” (1964), “E.S.P.” (1965), “Footprints” (1966), “Nefertiti” (1967), and “Sanctuary” (1968).
Shorter was born on Aug. 25, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey. He studied music at New York University from 1952 to 1956. Shorter died on March 2, 2023.
