Blue Note Records has announced a new archival collection of music from saxophonist Wayne Shorter, Celebration, Volume 1. The first installment in a series Shorter curated shortly before his death in 2023, Celebration, Volume 1 will be released on August 23. The lead single from the collection—a 1983 performance of composer Arthur B. Rubinstein’s 1983 War Games theme “Edge of the World (End Title)”—is out today.
Celebration, Volume 1 captures a 2014 set from Shorter’s acclaimed quartet with pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade, performed at the Stockholm Jazz Festival in Sweden. The set includes highlights from the group’s unique and imaginative sessions, including “Zero Gravity,” “Smilin’ Through,” “Orbits,” “Lotus,” and “She Moves Through The Fair.”
“In January 2023, when [Wayne] was hospitalized for the last time, he continued picking tracks and laying out the albums,” Caroline Shorter, Wayne’s wife, shares in Celebration, Volume 1’s liner notes. “His ‘Never Give Up’ spirit, which underlines his entire mission, was stronger than ever and he was excited to release more music. It was only in the last 10 days of his life that he realized he was not going to be around to see it to fruition. He started feeling the urgency of celebrating life and decided to change the name of the collection to Celebration. I said ‘Yes Wayne! Let’s celebrate!!! That’s what it should be called. A celebration!’”
In addition to Celebration, Volume 1, Blue Note will also honor Shorter’s impact on jazz music this summer with several reissues of his classic albums. These include a Tone Poet Vinyl Edition of 1970’s Odyssey of Iska, out July 5; a Classic Vinyl Edition of 1964’s JuJu, out August 16; and a Blue Note Authorized Dealer exclusive blue vinyl reissue of 1964’s Speak No Evil (1964), on sale August 9 at select independent record stores.
Order Wayne Shorter’s Celebration, Volume 1 now.