Wayne Shorter Night Dreamer CD

Shorter's Blue Note debut, NIGHT DREAMER, is a stunning statement from one of the premiere saxophonists and composers in the history of jazz. In 1964, after a long period as musical director for Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and newly joining Miles Davis' quintet, Shorter was primed to enter the field as a major solo artist. His guests include Lee Morgan (trumpet), renewing the outstanding frontline the two formed in Blakey's band, and McCoy Tyner (piano) and Elvin Jones (drums) from Coltrane's legendary quartet. The musical vision here, however, is Shorter's alone.

Shorter's distinctive compositional style begins to take shape with the opening title track, a bouncing waltz with a dusky, modal flavor and a subtle rhythmic drive. Likewise, his arrangement of an "Oriental Folk Song" has a similar burnished tone with beautifully executed harmonies between Shorter and Morgan. Interestingly, the swinging "Black Nile" and "Armageddon" are very reflective of Shorter's previous tenure with Blakey while perpetuating the range of his newfound freedom with Davis' group. "Charcoal Blues" is the most traditional piece in the set but nevertheless gives us a sense of his more independent leanings. Also included are two takes of the graceful ballad "Virgo," a classic Shorter composition.

Tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter's Blue Note debut found him well prepared to enter the big time. With an impressive quintet that included trumpeter Lee Morgan, pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Reggie Workman, and drummer Elvin Jones, Shorter performed a well-rounded program consisting of five of his originals (this CD reissue adds an alternate take of "Virgo") plus an adaptation of an "Oriental Folk Song." Whether it be the brooding title cut, the Coltrane-ish ballad "Virgo," or the long modal jams on "Black Nile" and "Charcoal Blues," this is a memorable set of high-quality and timeless music. In 2005 Night Dreamer became a title in the Rudy Van Gelder series of reissues. Van Gelder completely remastered the set from its original studio tapes and the sonic quality is remarkably different from earlier CD editions. There is no other added material. ~ Scott Yanow & Thom Jurek

Additional Tracks

Liner Note Authors: Nat Hentoff; Bob Blumenthal.

Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (04/29/1964).

Photographer: Francis Wolff.

Personnel: Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone); Wayne Shorter; Lee Morgan , Lee Morgan Quintet (trumpet); Reggie Workman (double bass); McCoy Tyner (piano); Elvin Jones (drums).

Audio Remasterer: Rudy Van Gelder.