An Unforgettable Collaboration: Wayne Shorter, Milton Nascimento & Herbie Hancock.

Llve in Japan performing Milton's Miracle of the Fishes

Last March, Wayne Shorter made the transition to his next phase. His body was temporary, lasting almost ninety years. His music falls into the forever category. His spirit or soul is eternal.

His profound contributions as a saxophonist, composer, and band leader, have deeply influenced the development and direction of jazz. We love his compositions and his extraordinary saxophone.

Wayne was key member of three of the most influential groups in jazz history: Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, the Miles Davis Quintet in the 1960s and Weather Report in the 1970s, pushing the boundaries of jazz even further, incorporating elements of rock, funk, and world music. Wayne’s entire career was characterized by a relentless pursuit of innovation. Accordingly, his legacy is that of a musician who never stopped exploring and pushing the limits of what jazz can be.

In early 1975, Wayne released Native Dancer, a particularly memorable collaboration with Brazilian composer and vocalist, Milton Nascimento, whose unique voice and songwriting added a distinctive flavor to the album. Native Dancer’s pioneering fusion of jazz and Brazilian music helped pave the way for future cross-genre collaborations.

Native Dancer showcases Wayne’s exceptional compositional skills and his ability to tell a story through music. The tracks are imbued with emotional depth and complexity, demonstrating his mastery of both the saxophone and musical narrative.

The album received widespread critical acclaim for its artistic innovation, musicality, and the seamless integration of diverse musical styles.

Wayne and Milton performed live together several times, at the Montreal Jazz Festival, in Japan, and Brazil.

Miracle of the Fishes (Nascimento) is from Japan’s Live Under the Sky in 1991 featuring Milton Nascimento, the composer on guitar and vocals, Herbie Hancock on piano, Stanley Clarke on bass, Robertino Silva on drums, and Wayne Shorter on soprano saxophone.