Adelaide Festival 2010 - Wayne Shorter Quartet

Presented by Adelaide Festival

"To hell with the rules."

At 76, after half a century attaining the status of living legend and securing a throne in the Jazz Hall of Fame, Wayne Shorter says: "A lot of musicians worry about protecting what I call their musical foundation. I've got nothing to lose. I'm going for the unknown."

We probably need say no more to his legion of fans (including one awestruck Paul Grabowsky). The prospect of seeing this musical giant in person, and in such a feisty mood, should fulfil your lifetime's ambition.

To those who came late, however, Wayne Shorter was born in Newark, New Jersey and took up the clarinet in his teens, before switching to both the tenor and soprano sax: instruments that earmarked him for greatness with his sensitive choice of notes, economy and unparalleled expression.

Attracting the attention of Miles Davis, he joined his quintet in 1964, contributing such landmark compositions as Nefertiti, ESP, Pinocchio, Sanctuary, Fall and Footprints. In 1970, he co-founded Weather Report, the fusion supergroup that produced 16 acclaimed recordings, including 1980s Grammy Award-winning doublelive set, 8:30.

In 2001 Wayne joined up with three celebrated and hugely talented musicians with whom he found an uncanny chemistry, forming the quartet we'll witness here: pianist, Danilo Perez; bassist, John Patitucci; and drummer, Brian Blade. This is the same line-up that produced the ambitious Allegria with a large ensemble earning him another Grammy.

If you're into jazz, you'll be here. But if you're even vaguely curious, don't miss this chance to mix with a master.

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