He didn’t pick up music until he was 15 years old. Before that, he wanted to draw comic books and monsters.
Then he became one of the most influential jazz composers of all time.
Thanks to John Anderson from The Wall Street Journal for first putting this one on my radar.
Trailer for “Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- He was obsessed with comic books, monster movies, and drawing. He won an art contest and only picked up the clarinet after seeing a movie that inspired him.
- Just as Shorter reached the top of the jazz world, tragedy struck twice. His daughter Iska died after years of severe seizures. Then in 1996 his wife Ana Maria was killed aboard TWA Flight 800. Instead of retreating, he poured his grief into some of the boldest music of his career.
Watch “Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity”
You can watch “Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity” on Prime Video.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 93/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: not yet rated (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: Directed by Dorsay Alavi, this three-part Amazon docuseries mixes interviews, animation, archival footage, and philosophical conversations to mirror the way Wayne Shorter viewed music, life, and creativity.
Release Date: August 25, 2023 (Prime Video)
Other Unique Stuff
- Many of his famous compositions intentionally avoided conventional song structures because he wanted musicians to discover something new every time they performed them.
- His quartet often walked on stage without deciding what they would play, trusting that the music would reveal itself in real time.
- The title Zero Gravity reflects Shorter’s lifelong belief that creativity comes from letting go of fear, certainty, and expectations.
Wrap Up:
“Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity” is more than a music documentary. Even if you don’t know much about jazz, it’s an inspiring look at creativity, resilience, and a man who spent his entire life chasing the unknown.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc