Wayne Shorter

Wayne Shorter

Tenor man Wayne Shorter was one of the foremost figures in jazz saxophone in the latter half of the 20th century. A hugely influential figure, he combined classical-influenced lyricism, bop fire, post-bop viscerality, and free-jazz adventurism. Over the decades, he was in some of the most important groups in jazz history, including Miles Davis's famed '60s quintet and fusion pioneers Weather Report. On his own, he released landmark albums touching on everything from hard bop to the avant garde to world music. His latter-day recordings found him pursuing a more commercial sound, but his pioneering work will never be forgotten or diminished.