The lessons of Wayne Shorter, engine of imagination
Shorter's biographer, Michelle Mercer, recalls the many "isms" and lessons she learned from her time working with the legendary composer and saxophonist on his biography, Footprints.
Composer, saxophonist and devout Buddhist Wayne Shorter died last week at age 89. His visionary composition and improvisation shaped not only 20th-century jazz but also pop, world and classical music. Shorter was as beloved personally for his philosophical character and colorful aphorisms as he was for his musical accomplishments. Michelle Mercer is the author of Footprints, a 2005 biography of Shorter, and shares this personal essay on her experiences "translating" the artist and his life.
In remembrances last week following the passing of legendary composer and jazz musician , nearly everyone seemed to have a story of a "Wayne-ism" – epigrammatic, poetic, or allegorical words he'd delivercomposition," he once told musician .
