Wayne Shorter: Footprints: The Life And Music Of Wayne Shorter

With Lee Morgan on "Lester Left Town" and Freddie Hubbard on "Speak No Evil," Columbia's portrait of the artist leads off in a swinging, straight-ahead spirit. Shorter's full tenor tone makes these Blue Note sessions sizzle.

The Gil Evans Orchestra recorded "Time of the Barracudas" on Verve in 1964 with Shorter's tenor as its featured voice. Fluid in his articulation and seamless in his phrasing, he gave the dramatic arrangement a suave texture. This classic recording also featured Kenny Burrell and Elvin Jones in landmark appearances.

Shorter's "Footprints" appeared on Columbia's Miles Smiles a few years later with Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams and Miles Davis. The piece has always been able to convey delicate bare feet as they leave their mark on the world around us. The underlying tension reminds us that our future remains uncertain. At the same time, Shorter's confident tenor saxophone rapport reassures us that we're in control. We make footprints in the sand every day, and our lives make a difference. He's always been able to give us that positive feeling.

Selections follow from Columbia's Nefertiti and Bitches Brew with Davis leading. Significant changes in jazz were being made. The contrast between "Nefertiti" and "Sanctuary," both lovely ballads with open trumpet, is quite significant. "Sanctuary" opens the door for a wave of electric piano and soprano saxophone timbres in modern jazz.

Weather Report brought a new, jazz/rock voice to modern jazz. Fusion separated audiences. The four Weather Report selections that appear here date from 1974 to 1976. It was a crossroads in jazz. It was also a crossroads in the saxophonist's career. Serving as a musical companion to Shorter's biography by Michelle Mercer, Footprints: The Life and Music of Wayne Shorter, Columbia's compilation goes beyond the mainstream.

From Weather Report, the influential saxophonist and composer collaborated with Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Milton Nascimento, and other disparate sources. He explored jazz from the inside out. World music has melded with modern jazz.

The mellow guitars and smooth vocals of Steely Dan turned the ballad "Aja" toward pop music obscurity. It's included here because the piece features Shorter's sizzling tenor solo midstream. He brought life to the music. Alongside Joni Mitchell, his soprano saxophone voice adds significantly to her hot, swinging arrangement of "Dry Cleaner from Des Moines." Excursions through other contemporary scenarios have given Shorter a broad view. Fusion led to larger and more varied projects.

The compilation ends with Shorter's "Masquelero," recorded July 20, 2001 on tenor with Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade. It's one of his more dramatic adventures. Retaining his suave articulation and seamless phrasing, the leader partners with his three comrades on a musical journey. They travel ancient mountain trails and winding pathways that lead to higher ground. Jazz's modern mainstream has its champion. That's Wayne Shorter.

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