Wayne Shorter Mastery Unleashed in Paris '12
The Wayne Shorter Quartet or the magic between four stellar musicians at Salle Pleyel
The Wayne Shorter Quartet's performance at Paris's Salle Pleyel on November 3, 2012, stands as a testament to the enduring magic forged by a band that, over more than a decade together, continued to radiate freshness and daring exploration. Featuring Wayne Shorter on saxophones, Danilo Perez on piano, John Patitucci on bass, and Brian Blade on drums, this quartet of virtuosos transcended individual egos, fearlessly delving into the unknown realms of music.
Having witnessed this exceptional quartet on that memorable tour, I can personally attest to the awe-inspiring nature of their performance—truly a 'Wow' moment. Filmed for the documentary "The Language of the Unknown", the concert unfolded as a linguistic journey, where familiar jazz traditions intertwined with mysterious, uncharted territories. Shorter's compositions, both old and new, served as springboards for spontaneous improvisation, challenging both bandmates and the audience with unpredictable shifts in tempo, mood, and harmony—a true language of surprise.
The epic "Zero Gravity/Lotus" kicked off the captivating ride, with Shorter's haunting saxophone solo, Perez's delicate piano interlude, and the band's collective build-up of intensity creating a climactic transition into "Prometheus Unbound." Here, the quartet unleashed fiery and aggressive energy, transcending their instruments to craft a sound that felt larger than life.
After the captivating renditions of “She Moves Through The Fair” and “Plaza Real,” the performance continued with “Starry Night,” a more introspective piece showcasing the quartet's lyrical prowess. Shorter's expressive soprano saxophone, Perez's subtle harmonies, Patitucci's warm bass foundation, and Blade's gentle cymbal touches melded seamlessly in this half-hour masterclass of mood creation and sustained charm."Starry Night" followed, a more introspective piece showcasing the quartet's lyrical prowess. Shorter's expressive soprano saxophone, Perez's subtle harmonies, Patitucci's warm bass foundation, and Blade's gentle cymbal touches melded seamlessly in this half-hour masterclass of mood creation and sustained charm.
The concert concluded with the upbeat "Joy Ryder," a joyful contrast to the previous piece. The quartet reveled in playful freedom, exchanging solos and interacting with both each other and the audience. Their enjoyment was palpable, leaving the stage with smiles and bows.
The Wayne Shorter Quartet didn't merely perform; they were magicians, transforming sound into emotion, and emotion into art. A remarkable force in modern jazz, they embodied the "sound of surprise," possessing a unique voice, deep vision, and rare chemistry that left an indelible mark on the ever-evolving landscape of jazz.