Master saxophonist Wayne Shorter celebrates his 75th birthday in

The final event in the Jazz At Symphony Center Series is saxophone virtuoso Wayne Shorter’s celebration of his 75th birthday. Wayne Shorter and Quartet will offer a fantastic retrospective of Shorter’s tenor saxophone virtuosity and the celebrated composi

He entered the jazz scene while attending New York University, and immediately earned the nickname “Newark Flash” because of his flashing technical skill and his native home. After becoming a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in 1959 and ultimately the music director of the organization, he served as its arranger as well as composing some of its most famous compositions including Nefertiti and E.S.P.

Shorter and keyboard virtuoso Joe Zawinul established the Weather Report, which became internationally famous and regarded as one of the most recognized avant garde and fusion musical ensemble in music history. It disbanded in 1985 with more that 16 albums. Following the separation of Weather Report, Shorter who celebrates his 75th birthday August 25, continued his artistry with pianist Herbie Hancock and trumpet master Miles Davis in 1997.

Shorter’s compositions have been recorded by jazz artists from Stan Getz to Chick Corea. Many of his compositions have emerged as legendary standards. Shorter established his current quartet in 2000, the first permanent acoustic group which he fronted consisting of younger musicians: pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade.

With his present quartet, Shorter has released Footprints Live (2002), Alegria (2003), High Life (2004) and Beyond the Sound Barrier (2005), for which he received the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Jazz Album. He has fronted more than 23 albums between 1959 and 2005.

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