Wayne Shorter's biographer, Michelle Mercer, recalls the many 'isms' and lessons she learned from her time working with the legendary composer and saxophonist on his biography, Footprints.
, the biography I wrote with his cooperation, I observed him dispensing these pearls to everyone – bookstore clerks, hotel breakfast chefs, young musicians backstage, fellow Buddhists at home. The meanings of Wayne's isms were heightened for me by years of listening to his music, itself rich in existential questions and radical presence. I eventually grew skilled at translating his koans partly because I was so often asked,"What do you think he meant?" I enjoyed the role.
Then came a great surprise: Wayne proceeded to answer every question as clearly and concisely as an encyclopedia entry. I'd known him to speak directly, in non-Wayne-isms, with his wife, his band and me, but didn't know until then that he had the capacity to unspool reference-book paragraphs on command.
Wayne Shorter at the the 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors, where he was an honoree along with singer and actress Cher, composer and pianist Philip Glass and country music star Reba McEntire.Wayne Shorter at the the 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors, where he was an honoree along with singer and actress Cher, composer and pianist Philip Glass and country music star Reba McEntire.
Wayne arrived and entered the studio at the first break. I shot him a look that warned,"this interviewer can't be trusted. Let's just get through it." He shot back a look that answered"already ascertained – and believe me, I've seen it all before. Stay cool."We got through the otherwise-standard interview and headed to the elevator with Carolina. When the doors closed, I was surprised to find myself falling apart.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Professor: It's time for 4-day workweek and shorter working daysInsider tells the global tech, finance, markets, media, healthcare, and strategy stories you want to know.
Read more »
Jamie Lee Curtis Says She 'Had No Idea' She Kissed Michelle YeohThe award show kiss came during Curtis' Best Supporting Actress win for her role in 'Everything Everywhere All at Once.'
Read more »
Michelle Obama's Emotional Response to Donald Trump's Inauguration Day Had Her 'Uncontrollably Sobbing'Michelle Obama felt the profound impact of Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day.
Read more »
Michelle Obama swipes at Trump over inauguration crowd, ‘no color’Former first lady Michelle Obama took a shot at the size of then-President Donald Trump’s inauguration crowd in January 2017, noting “there weren’t many people there.”
Read more »