Jazz News: Shorter’s “Multiverse,” San Sebastian Fest, DiMeola in the old country

Wayne Shorter has been a busy fellow.  The 10-Grammy winner just announced his next project, accompanied on several tracks by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.  His band: Danilo Perez on piano, John Patitucci on bass, and Brian Blade on drums.  Hang on to your hat!  Reviewer Nate Chinen calls it “multi-verse inspired.”  The three-CD set called “Emanon” will be released with a graphic novel – the cosmic hero story ties in with the music -and Blue Note is releasing an LP edition with 180-gram vinyl.  Release is scheduled for August 24.

Blue Note release

At 84-years young, reed master Wayne Shorter has just been named a Kennedy Center honoree.  He will receive his medal on December 2 along with Philip Glass, Cher and Reba McEntire.

Audio version of the story, including short clip from Wayne Shorter's forthcoming “Emanon”

  

Jazzaldia for Basque jazz fans

A major European jazz festival is held each summer on the Bay of Biscay in the Basque region of northern Spain.  This year marks the 53^rd Heineken Jazzaldia, held in San Sebastian, near the French border.  The festival, held in multiple venues around town, has recognized significant contributions of artists since 1994.  The 2018 hall of fame inductees are vocalist Mary Stallings and multi-instrumentalist Michel Portal.

Dr. Di Meola, thank you very much

More jazz news from the old country… guitarist, composer, bandleader, and producer Al Di Meola received an honorary doctor of music degree at the Berklee School of Music campus in Valencia, Spain this month. 

DiMeola told the graduates, “Collaborations with other players outside of your realm can ignite a new frontier,” reports JAZZed Magazine.  The legendary jazz and fusion guitar wizard has been collaborating tango master Astor Piazzolla, and he performed at the commencement concert.

DiMeola also said, “go way beyond your comfort zone. In the process you will quite naturally mature as a musician.”

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I’m Steve Chavis.  That’s Jazz News.