Michelle Mercer

A comprehensive and first-class biography that explores jazz saxophonist, composer and band leader Wayne Shorter’s life, music, and spirituality. Michelle Mercer weaves interviews – with Shorter, family, band members, and others – with musical analysis, reviews and other sources to create a tight story from his birth in Newark in 1933 to 2004, when the book was completed.

Interesting analysis of Joni Mitchell's most creative and daring work, from "Blue" to "Hejira." (I would have extended it to "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter.") Mercer was fortunate enough to have interviewed Mitchell for the book, and the best part of the book is Mitchell's own insights. Mercer's analysis was solid, but a little facile.

It seems that many of my favorite musicians have or have had non-mainstream religious affiliations: John McLaughlin with Sri Chinmoy, Chick Corea with Scientology, Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock with Nichiren Buddhism. I don't share any of them, but I can't argue with results. They all create great music.

I was very interested to learn about Wayne Shorter's life and how it relates to his music. He is a true original.