Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity

So glad this wasn't one of those quickie projects with a bunch of critics & peripheral personages pontificating on this extra ordinary man and musician. The musicians who weighed in are top caliber (too may to mention), friends and, best of all, Wayne Shorter himself who demonstrates with his ruminations what everbody says throughout the doc: he's a visionary who dwells on another plane.

Anyone who appreciates music, even those who aren't jazz fans, will find a lot to unpack here. Shorter refused to be button-holed into categories, and his life avoids the typical jazz player's trajectories (addictions & other destructive behavior, selling out to stay relevant, etc.). Act 2 focuses on his mid-career with heartbreaking personal losses, and hearing how he came through it is inspirational.

But Act 3 (post-Weather Report, with which I wasn't that familiar) is an uplifting, glorious final act that brings tears of joy and a smile that lingers long after the doc ends. Hopefully, afterward, folks will check out those Blue Note solo albums, the early Weather Reports and, especially, his quartet and solo projects. They'll be thankful they did.

Having trouble watching this documentary, although it is very interesting to me. Editing is fast footage cuts, that don't give its subject enough breathing room, and as a result makes for some chaotic viewing. Also for a 4k HDR video, you'd think they'd touch up a bit all the archival footage they've interspersed within, but instead you get a mess of UHD modern footage plus a hodge-podge of VHS-quality, or ultra-grainy old material. Messy experience overall, couldn't muster to watch more than half an episode. Which is a shame, I was looking forward to learn more about Wayne Shorter - his life and times.

Greetings again from the darkness. When the musical geniuses we respect and admire speak in awe and wonderment about another musician, we know it's time to pay attention. Of course, Wayne Shorter has long been recognized as a Jazz giant, and unfortunately he passed away earlier this year. For this three-plus hour documentary, director Dorsay Alavi interviews such renowned artists as Joni Mitchell, Sonny Rollins, Carlos Santana, and Herbie Hancock. It's fascinating to hear those on top of the mountain express high-level respect for Shorter using such descriptions as greatness, visionary, and genius.

Progressing in mostly chronological order, Alavi divides the film into 3 parts, or "portals" paying tribute to Shorter's Buddhist practices. Portal 1 is subtitled "Newark Flash in NYC 1933-1971". Portal 2 is "Faith is to be Fearless 1972-1999", and Portal 3 is "Zero Gravity 2000". We learn about Shorter's childhood, including the bond with his mother, his early artistic talent, and his influences: movies, comic books, and music on the radio. Early on, he performed with his brother, and they went by Mr. Weird and Doc Strange. Later, Wayne became known as "Fast Fingers" for his work on the clarinet and sax, and after a stint in the Army, he joined Art Blakey's band. When Miles Davis pursued Shorter to replace John Coltrane, the move freed Shorter to concentrate on his own compositions, leading to Miles Davis' "ESP".

The second portal focuses more on Shorter's family life, which featured some highs to go with much tragedy - more than one man's share. The challenges of marriage(s) and parenting are discussed, as is Shorter's transition to fronting Weather Report, the band that brought jazz fusion to mass audiences and mainstream radio. It's also in this phase where a grieving Shorter bonds with his third wife Carolina, a close friend of his second wife Ana Maria. It's also here where Herbie Hancock and Wayne cement a friendship strengthened by musical talent and appreciation.

Portal three takes us through Shorter's life post-Weather Report, allowing Wayne to explore even more new avenues for his music. The Wayne Shorter Quartet is featured and we hear from the other musicians that played with him. We are struck by how Shorter pushed each of them towards freedom and musical expression ... they describe it as building the composition live, improvising the feel. It's in this later stage where Shorter mentors many young musicians who are drawn to his brilliance. He is a musical Yoda ... taking them off the page and into a new realm of artistry.

One of my favorite sequences comes when Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding collaborate on "Gaia". Her singing and bass playing are ethereal, while his playing was never more free. One of Shorter's fellow musicians describes his career as "the soundtrack of his life", and another that his "music sounds like life." Perhaps no other musician has received such compliments from those they played alongside and those they influenced. Wayne Shorter certainly deserves to be mentioned with Miles Davis, Charlie Bird, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and Thelonius Monk as being among the greats of jazz, and while Dorsay Alavi's documentary may be a bit long, the case is made.

Premiering on Prime Video on August 25, 2023.

This film touched me in unexpected ways. I was laughing, crying, grooving, all of the above. I heard on a radio interview that the director was a personal friend of Wayne, I think that makes a big difference in this film because of how comfortable Wayne is to reveal himself. It isn't all factual, there's a lot of heart in this film.

I'd heard Wayne's music before, but it was so interesting to realize how much influence he had on some of the biggest hits in Jazz history. Beyond just his work, Wayne is such a profound poet with the way he speaks, as well as quietly funny. You really get the sense of his life unfolding before him. Even as a non-musician myself, I found myself relating to him or finding his wisdom about the world entirely applicable. He was truly a visionary in that he followed no rules.

The filmmaker does a remarkable job translating his personality. It's clear she understood him on a deep level and has found a way to make his mind accessible to us all. The film operates very much like a patchwork of people, images, and sound, almost like a memory with allusions to afro-futurism and classic cinema and literature. This film was so much more than I expected. Its more than just a music doc, it's a story about the journey of a soul.

A really great documentary & a magnificent tribute to a great & unique artist as well as an extraordinary human being. I really enjoyed the way this film is divided into 3 parts. The interviews, Wayne Shorter himself but also great musicians as Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, Ron Carter... & close friends are very well articulated all along the 3 chapters. I really enjoyed Wayne Shorter's description of his childhood, his special relationship with his brother Alan & his mother who encouraged her sons to explore & expand their imagination. The musical excerpts are outstanding & illustrate very well Wayne Shorter's incredible & totally unique artistic journey during his life. Bravo for this great achievement.