Relentless invention and forward movement marked saxophonist Wayne Shorter’s work over his 70-year career. Towards the end of his life, before he passed in 2023, he was curating some of his unreleased work, and came upon a recording of a concert from 2014, when his new Quartet reached a musical peak for his return to the Blue Note label. This will be released as an album later in the year, and as a prelude, we have the band’s interpretation of the end title theme from the movie WarGames, titled “Edge of the World.” The original was performed by Arthur B. Rubinstein, along with colleagues from The Beepers. When the movie came out in 1983, it represented a cutting-edge representation of the existential danger of Artificial Intelligence. In 2024, we need a timely reminder of that potential.
Shorter took up the soprano saxophone, having established himself as a tenor player, when he wanted an instrument to cut through the electronica of Miles Davis’ late ’60s recordings. He made the instrument his own, and was its leading exponent through his time with Weather Report, continuing through fusion bands but also when he returned to the acoustic jazz field. Shorter was also fascinated by film throughout his life, and created award-winning soundtracks for several movies. In one of his few acting roles, in the magnificent movie tribute to the bebop era, Round Midnight, he can be seen eloquently expressing his love for Powell and Pressburger’s The Red Shoes.
Shorter’s quartet with pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade had been working together for more than a decade by the time of their 2014 appearance at the Stockholm Jazz Festival. That experience and trust shows throughout the recording. Shorter was a pioneer of modal jazz in the ’60s and the tone here is initially unsettling, which is the mood of the movie. Shorter’s saxophone nevertheless provides hope for the future in a disturbing world. Acoustic soprano sax has a light night sensibility about it, with clarity which can bely the torpid late night surroundings. No one has done it better in 50 years and this is a great example of the craft.
