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03/10/2023

Wayne Shorter: A musical obituary by Christopher Woitach, Paull K. Ward and David Evans / audio

By PAUL K. WARD // Three Portland musicians pay tribute to the late saxophone master, Wayne Shorter.

Wayne Shorter, prominent and influential jazz tenor saxophonist, and composer, passed away on March 2, 2023, at the age of 89, after a long, active life playing and shaping America’s great musical tradition.

The next day, Portland-based jazz guitarist and pedal steel musician, Christopher Woitach, shared a post on Facebook that recounted his thoughts about Shorter, his impact, and why jazz musicians do what they do.

Two area musicians, David Evans — himself a noted tenor saxophonist and teacher — and Paul K. Ward, a jazz pianist and spoken word producer, composed a Shorter-inspired piece and used it as a bed to Mr. Woitach’s recorded narration of his own post.

Here it is.

Oregon Music News · Wayne Shorter - SO IT GOES - Christopher Woitach And Friends 3 7 23, 6.27 PM

Comments

JEFF A KAASTAD

Beautiful and to the point.

Fri, March 10 2023 - 05:25 pm

PAUL K WARD

Thank you for sharing Christopher’s wonderful tribute.

Fri, March 10 2023 - 06:38 pm

Natalia K Burgess

Beautiful.

Sat, March 11 2023 - 01:34 am

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