LOS ANGELES - Wayne Shorter talks like he plays. Sitting on the couch in his living room high in the West Hollywood hills, the legendary saxophonist is asked to explain his philosophy when it comes to leading a band. Speaking softly, Shorter drops references to actor William Shatner and Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel before settling, of course, on Miles Davis.
That's when the story, just about to roam too far, gets hauled back in. Shorter uses his time as part of the trumpet icon's celebrated quintet to make a point about his own current foursome.
“One night we were playing the Plugged Nickel," he explains, “and Tony [Williams] was playing and hitting a cymbal hard and somebody yelled from the audience to turn the drummer down. Miles walked by the microphone and said, 'Leave the drummer alone.'"
Leave them alone. This spirit drives Shorter's now eight-year-old quartet, his first permanent acoustic group. The band, made up of pianist Danilo Perez, drummer Brian Blade, and bassist John Patitucci, plays Wednesday night at the Berklee Performance Center. It's part of a tour celebrating his 75th birthday, though the date was actually in August.
That's when the story, just about to roam too far, gets hauled back in. Shorter uses his time as part of the trumpet icon's celebrated quintet to make a point about his own current foursome.
“One night we were playing the Plugged Nickel," he explains, “and Tony [Williams] was playing and hitting a cymbal hard and somebody yelled from the audience to turn the drummer down. Miles walked by the microphone and said, 'Leave the drummer alone.'"
Leave them alone. This spirit drives Shorter's now eight-year-old quartet, his first permanent acoustic group. The band, made up of pianist Danilo Perez, drummer Brian Blade, and bassist John Patitucci, plays Wednesday night at the Berklee Performance Center. It's part of a tour celebrating his 75th birthday, though the date was actually in August.
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