Performance

When Thursday, 3 March 2005
Where National Concert Hall, Main Auditorium
Presented by Waltons New School of Music
Supported by RTÉ Radio 1, The Irish Times, Brooks Hotel

Wayne Shorter Quartet

Wayne Shorter • Saxophones
Danilo Pérez • Piano
John Patitucci • Bass
Brian Blade • Drums

This concert was recorded for broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1.

Wayne Shorter

Eight-time Grammy Award winner Wayne Shorter is one of the great legends of jazz. He has been a major tenor and soprano saxophonist for over 45 years and is unquestionably one of the finest composers (‘Footprints’, ‘Pinocchio’, ‘Sanctuary’) that jazz has ever known. His output as a leader for Blue Note records, as well as his work with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and the second classic Miles Davis Quintet of the 1960s, may arguably be the finest and most productive ten year stretch in the history of the music. Shorter’s group Weather Report helped define the fusion movement of the ’70s. In the ’80s and ’90s, Wayne worked on several soundtracks and lent his finesse to the pop music of Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell and Carlos Santana. He also recorded several solo albums for Columbia and then two Grammy Award winning records for Verve, the second with Herbie Hancock. In the late 1990s, the acclaimed saxophonist formed his first ever-acoustic group, a stellar quartet with pianist Danilo Pérez, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade. (‘In tone and temperament, this was light-years away from a typical old-master-coasting-on-his-laurels move.’ – Philadelphia Enquirer)

Pianist and composer Danilo Pérez has made an indelible mark on contemporary jazz as a leader of his own ensembles and as a member of the Wayne Shorter Quartet and other acclaimed jazz groups. Notable for his insightful and innovative treatments of the standard jazz repertoire and as a leading exponent of Pan-American jazz music, Pérez is a shining beacon among the current generation of jazz and Latin jazz musicians. He has earned three Grammy Award nominations, numerous awards, and critical acclaim for his recorded works and passionate live performances.

Since attracting worldwide acclaim as a member of Chick Corea’s Elektric Band and Akoustic Band – a creative association that has now spanned eighteen years – Grammy Award-winning bassist John Patitucci has become one of today’s most influential musicians and composers. He has released several remarkable albums as leader of his own groups and made notable contributions to renowned ensembles led by Wayne Shorter, Stan Getz, Freddie Hubbard and Danilo Pérez, to name only a few. Patitucci’s sensitivity, inventiveness and tone have established him as one of the leading lights in contemporary and Brazilian jazz; few can emulate the scope of his impact on modern and traditional music.

Brian Blade grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana and New Orleans. Nurtured under the watchful eyes of Ellis Marsalis and New Orleans Dixie-drum masters Johnny Vidacovich and Herlin Riley. Brian has done albums and tours with Joshua Redman and Kenny Garrett, and recordings with Bob Dylan (‘Time Out of Mind’), Emmylou Harris (‘Wrecking Ball’), Daniel Lanois (‘Sling Blade’) and hero Joni Mitchell. His evolution has continued on his acclaimed Blue Note debut, Brian Blade Fellowship.

Jazz Ensemble Masterclass with John Patitucci

When Thursday, 3 March 2005, 12 noon – 2 pm
Where Theatre, DIT, Rathmines Road
Presented by
Waltons New School of Music
in association with National Concert Hall Education & Outreach

Three advanced amateur and professional jazz ensembles participated in this fascinating masterclass.