Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis
Blue Engine, 2020
8/10
Listen to Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis
The tenor saxophone genius Wayne Shorter is in great company here- 15 players in fact- as Wynton Marsalis handles producer status and trumpet on a recording from 2015 at Jazz at Lincoln Center where the then 81 year old Shorter joined the band onstage across 3 nights.
“Yes Or No” starts the listen with 10 minutes of playful and precise jazz sounds, where Shorter, Marsalis and Dan Nimmer (keys) all provide skilled solos, and “Diana” follows with a more subdued approach as solos from a pair of trumpets help illuminate the cautious atmosphere.
Disc 1 finishes up with the more bare “Contemplation”, where Shorter’s tenor sax prowess is on full display, while “Endangered Species” picks up the pace and even includes a drum solo from Ali Jackson as Shorter provides soprano sax amid plenty of hooks.
Disc 2 highlights include the spirited and dynamic “Armageddon”, and “Teru”, where 2 tenor saxophones help cultivate an elegant and romantic environment. “Mama G” ends the listen with a big band approach, as multiple solos and a busy delivery exit the set with one of the best tracks.
The packaging here is just as glorious as the music- which spans several decades of Shorter’s luminous career- and includes a booklet of detailed liner notes from Christian McBride, which helps make this the complete package for all fans of jazz, and especially Shorter’s impressive catalog.
Travels well with: The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis- Big Band Holidays II; Robert Wayne- Robert Wayne Plays Wayne Shorter