present
(Sunnyside SSC 1456)
Street Date: July 8, 2016
A Note From Denny Zeitlin…
I was a junior in college in 1959 when Wayne Shorter made his recording debut as a leader, and was captivated by the originality of his sound and concept, both as a performer and composer.
He has continued to inspire me over the ensuing decades, and I've recorded his compositions on a number of occasions.
The idea of an entire concert of Wayne's tunes as launching pads into improvisation occurred to me as I was preparing for an annual performance at the Piedmont Piano Company in Oakland, California. The venue is perfect—a stable of marvelous pianos ; an intimate concert space that attracts an attentive and adventurous audience; flawless acoustics; and a staff that really cares about the music.
I believe that Wayne is jazz's greatest living composer and improviser, and for this concert, I focused on his timeless early compositions. They are all from the sixties, with the exception of "Ana Maria," published in the seventies. I hope you will enjoy these explorations.
1) Speak No Evil 7:16 (Miyako Music, BMI)
2) Nefertiti 7:55 (Miyako Music, BMI)
3) Ju Ju 7:38 (Miyako Music, BMI)
4 Teru 7:30 (Miyako Music, BMI)
5) Toy Tune 6:04 (Iska Music, BMI)
6) Infant Eyes 8:37 (Miyako Music, BMI)
7) Paraphernalia 7:51 (Miyako Music, BMI)
8) Ana Maria 6:32 (Iska Music, BMI)
9) E.S.P. 5:54 (Miyako Music, BMI)
10) Miyako 4:10 (Miyako Music, BMI)
Early Wayne, piano
Additional Credits:
Produced by Denny Zeitlin
Recorded at Piedmont Piano Company, Oakland, CA, December 5, 2014
Recording Engineer: Vadim Canby
Mixing and Mastering Engineer: Vadim Canby & Denny Zeitlin
Photography: Josephine Zeitlin
Graphic Design: Chris Drukker
Cover Illustration: Manuel Menchen Ozaita
Denny Zeitlin is a Steinway Artist
Thanks to:
Wayne Shorter, for the gift of his music
Francois Zalacain and the staff at Sunnyside, for their support of this project
Jim Callahan, his family, and staff for providing a world-class venue
Vadim Canby, for his impeccable recording, mixing, and mastering
My wife Josephine, for nurturing my music in countless ways
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