Jazz breaking news: Wayne Shorter back on Blue Note Without A Net
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Following Jazzwise’s exclusive announcement in its June issue that iconic saxophonist Wayne Shorter (pictured left), had re-signed to Blue Note after a 43-year gap, the label have confirmed his new album, entitled Without A Net, will be released on 5 February 2013.
According to the label the ‘searing’ session features Shorter’s revered quartet of pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade – in what could shape up to be another landmark release in the saxophonist’s illustrious recording history. Entering his 80th year in 2013 Shorter has been on fiery form across the last decade yet his run of timeless Blue Note recordings between 1964-1970 including Night Dreamer, Juju, Speak No Evil, Adam’s Apple, Schizophrenia, Super Nova and Odyssey of Iska still rank among some of the finest jazz albums of all time. This new album is Shorter’s first album since 2005’s Beyond The Sound Barrier, which was issued on Verve.
Commenting on the new album Blue Note records president Don Was said: “Wayne Shorter is one of the greatest musicians and composers of our time. At age 80, we witness him at the height of his powers and performing with one of the most incredible bands he's ever assembled. Although welcoming him back to Blue Note Records after 43 years is a romantic notion, Wayne's enduring appeal is rooted in his steadfast refusal to trade in such nostalgia. In fact, it is Mr. Shorter's determination to constantly move forward that makes his new album, Without A Net, such an essential listening experience.”
Without A Net features nine live recordings from the Wayne Shorter Quartet’s European tour in late 2011, the one exception being the 23-minute tone poem ‘Pegasus’ which features the quartet with The Imani Winds recorded at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The album features six new Shorter compositions, as well as new versions of his tunes ‘Orbits’ (from Miles Davis’ Miles Smiles album) and ‘Plaza Real’ (from the Weather Report album Procession). The quartet also reinvents the title song from the 1933 musical film Flying Down To Rio, which film buffs, such as Shorter, know as the first on-screen pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
The track listing for Without A Net is as follows: ‘Orbits’ (4:49), ‘Starry Night’ (8:48), ‘S. S. Golden Mean’ (5:17), ‘Plaza Real’ (6:56), ‘Myrrh’ (3:03), 6. ‘Pegasus’ (23:06), ‘Flying Down to Rio’ (12:44), ‘Zero Gravity’ (8:13), ‘UFO’ (4:12)
– Mike Flynn