The music world has lost a GIANT of a man and artist. Multi-Grammy winning jazz saxophonist, composer and jazz fusion pioneer Wayne Shorter passed away on Thursday, March 2 at the age of 89.
According to the NYT, Shorter's publicist, Alisse Kingsley, confirmed his death, at a hospital with no immediate information on the cause of death.
Shorter's career is what every artist dreams of having considering he just didn't play the music but he helped shape and transform the jazz genre over the decades. He's also shared stages and album projects with some of the biggest music legends and rising icons on the planet.
Shorter was recently honored during the Inaugural Jazz Music Awards last fall with the Lifetime Achievement Award and won a Grammy Award this year for Best Improvised Jazz Solofor the project "Endangered Species" with Leo Genovese.
See some of the moving tributes below from artists, radio personalities and music executives who knew his work best:
HERBIE HANCOCK, Grammy-winning music legend
"Wayne Shorter, my best friend, left us with courage in his heart, love and compassion for all, and a seeking spirit for the eternal future. He was ready for his rebirth. As it is with every human being, he is irreplaceable."
TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON, Grammy-winning artist, composer, and educator
"The world has lost a great man & a genius musician. I’ve lost a mentor and 1 of my greatest inspirations....on the day that I play Carnegie Hall for the 1st time as a band leader, so we will celebrate Wayne tonight, and always."
NAJEE, NAACP Image Award-winning saxophonist and flautist
"Today we offer our condolences to the family and friends of the Legendary Wayne Shorter. Saxophonist and Composer who developed a unique sound and position in our industry. He will be missed but his legacy lives forever!!"
JAMAL AHMAD, nationally syndicated host of S.O.U.L of Jazz
"One of the mightiest of oaks has fallen in the American music landscape. Rest in peace to the great saxophonist/composer/innovator, Wayne Shorter. This hits hard for me because I truly understand why this man's name should be mentioned with the same reverence as Beethoven, Monk, Ellington, Chopin, Joplin and Gershwin. He's one of America's greatest composers. He's a universe all to himself in the world of jazz."
DAVID C. LINTON, WCLK 91.9 Program Director and former music executive
"For more than 6 decades, Wayne Shorter provided up with some of the most prolific, soul stirring, musical creations. From his days with Art Blakley and The Messengers, to Miles Davis and later as co-founder of the jazz fusion group, Weather Report; Wayne Shorter's contributions to jazz and the global music tapestry will live on forever."
DON WAS, Blue Note Records President
“Maestro Wayne Shorter was our hero, guru, and beautiful friend,” said Don Was. “His music possessed a spirit that came from somewhere way, way beyond and made this world a much better place. Likewise, his warmth and wisdom enriched the lives of everyone who knew him.”