Mysterious Shorter

by Nicholas Payton

Overview

Wayne Shorter has written a number of landmark jazz compositions that have found favor among fellow jazz musicians, but Mysterious Shorter marks a rare occasion when an entire CD is devoted to his music. Trumpeter Nicholas Payton heads a strong quintet, including saxophonist Bob Belden (who doubles on soprano and tenor saxes, like Shorter, and contributed all of the arrangements), organist Sam Yahel, guitarist John Hart, and drummer Billy Drummond. Since six of the eight songs are from Shorter's early Blue Note CDs prior to his move toward fusion, the substitution of Yahel's laid-back organ for the more striking sound of the piano softens the sound of Belden's charts, giving them a bit more of a mysterious flavor, especially in the brisk, playful setting of "Footprints." Payton is known for his powerful trumpet playing, but displays a quiet lyrical touch in "Teru." Belden's charts also fit Shorter's fusion material well. Chesky's single-point microphone adds to the intimacy of this rewarding session, issued as a hybrid Super Audio disc. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	10/24/2006
Label:	Chesky Records
UPC:	0090368032164
Rank:	107611

Tracks

1. Montezuma
2. Tom Thumb
3. Footprints
4. Teru
5. Witch Hunt
6. Masquelero
7. Beauty and the Beast
8. Miyako

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Nicholas Payton   Primary Artist,Trumpet
Billy Drummond   Primary Artist,Drums
Bob Belden   Primary Artist,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)
John Hart   Primary Artist,Guitar
Sam Yahel   Primary Artist,Keyboards,Organ (Hammond)

Technical Credits

Wayne Shorter   Composer
Ted Panken   Liner Notes
Nicholas Prout   Editing,Engineer,Mastering
Norman Chesky   Executive Producer
David Chesky   Producer
Jack Frisch   Design,Art Direction
Rick Eckerle   Assistant Engineer,Session Coordinator
Lisa Hershfield   Production Assistant
Bob Belden   Producer,Arranger