New York, June 27: Wayne Shorter, whose "Footprints
Live!" CD was his first all-acoustic album since 1967, swept
the top honors at jazz awards 2003, winning in four
categories.
Shorter, who rose to prominence as a composer and
saxophonist in Miles Davis' 1960s quintet and later co-founded
the electric jazz fusion band Weather Report, was voted tenor
saxophonist and musician of the year.
Shorter's quartet - with pianist Danilo perez, bassist
John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade - was selected combo of
the year. The album of the year honours went to "Footprints"
(verve), which was shorter's first live recording as a leader
and featured the quartet reinventing some of his best-known
compositions spanning his career.
Also receiving multiple awards were Dave Holland for
acoustic bass and Big Band, and village voice critic Gary
Giddins, honoured as jazz writer of the year and with the jazz
journalism lifetime achievement award.
Other award winners included Alyn Shipton of BBC radio
3 (Lifetime achievement in jazz broadcasting), Regina Carter
(strings player), Russell Malone (guitarist), Kenny Barron
(pianist), Dave Douglas (trumpeter), Cassandra Wilson (female
vocalist) and Andy Bey (male vocalist).
Bureau Report
