Weather Report : NPR

The lessons of Wayne Shorter, engine of imagination

Wayne Shorter, photographed while performing with pianist Herbie Hancock in Paris on Sept. 4, 2007. Patrick Kovarik/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption

Patrick Kovarik/AFP via Getty Images

Music Features

The lessons of Wayne Shorter, engine of imagination

March 7, 2023 • Shorter's biographer, Michelle Mercer, recalls the many "isms" and lessons she learned from her time working with the legendary composer and saxophonist on his biography, Footprints.

Wynton Marsalis leads a group of musicians through upper Manhattan's Riverside Church for the New Orleans-style funeral of vibraphonist Lionel Hampton in 2002. Doug Kanter/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption

Doug Kanter/AFP/Getty Images

A Blog Supreme

In Memoriam: Jazz Elegies

WFIU

May 25, 2014 • Around 1945, jazz's traditional funeral rites manifested in a more modern form of tribute. Now, some of the music's most powerful tunes are written in memory of late colleagues. Hear five examples.

Like Being Hypnotized: Guest DJ With Juana Molina

Argentine musician Juana Molina. courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption

courtesy of the artist

Music

Like Being Hypnotized: Guest DJ With Juana Molina

October 17, 2013 • We were thrilled to have Juana Molina on this week's show to talk about her new album, Wed21, her musical influences, and how to rebel when your parents have the coolest musical tastes ever.

Like Being Hypnotized: Guest DJ With Juana Molina

Listen · 45:52 45:52

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/235447217/236243842" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Take Five: A Jazz Sampler

Fusion Is Not A Four-Letter Word

February 2, 2009 • Fans and detractors of jazz fusion cite Miles Davis as the one who led the way to a new direction in jazz in the late 1960s and early '70s. The sessions for In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew not only bred a new style, but also helped identify the pioneers who would help define rock-influenced jazz. Hear five classic examples.

Music Interviews

Jaco Pastorius: 20 Years Later

September 21, 2007 • In his short but brilliant career, he pioneered a new standard of rapid-fire virtuosity on the electric bass and helped bridge the jazz and pop music of his day. Close collaborators offer a retrospective on Jaco Pastorius.

Jaco Pastorius: 20 Years Later

Listen

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14578299/14602661" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Transcript

Music News

Eclectic Keyboardist Joe Zawinul Dies at 75

September 11, 2007 • Over a 60-year career, Zawinul embraced many types of jazz, but came to define the style known as jazz-fusion with his influential band Weather Report, and its 1977 hit "Birdland." Zawinul died of cancer early Tuesday.

Eclectic Keyboardist Joe Zawinul Dies at 75

Listen

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14327928/14330532" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Transcript

Music

Benny Golson All-Stars and Joe Zawinul in Concert

WBGO

May 10, 2007 • From the 2006 North Sea Jazz Festival, saxophonist Benny Golson leads an all-star jam in honor of trumpet legend Clifford Brown. Keyboard synthesist Joe Zawinul, performing with the WDR Big Band, revisits the pioneering 1970s fusion collective Weather Report. Listen to both concerts recorded by JazzSet.

Listen to Part 1

Audio is no longer available

All Songs Considered

Nirvana, Kaki King, Alice Coltrane

December 8, 2004 • Inventive fingerstyle guitarist, Kaki King; The remarkable dexterity of Adrian Legg; The return of keyboardist Alice Coltrane; Weather Report saxophonist Wayne Shorter and more.

Nirvana, Kaki King, Alice Coltrane

Audio for this story is unavailable.

Review

Basic Jazz Record Library

Weather Report: 'Heavy Weather'

August 1, 2001 • Recorded in 1977, Weather Report's Heavy Weather successfully integrates several genres of music. The track "Palladium," for example, combines acoustic and electronic jazz with Afro-Cuban Santeria rhythm. Don't miss the jazz standard, "Birdland."

Weather Report: 'Heavy Weather'

3:04

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4171887/151217428" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">