Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity

So glad this wasn't one of those quickie projects with a bunch of critics & peripheral personages pontificating on this extra ordinary man and musician. The musicians who weighed in are top caliber (too may to mention), friends and, best of all, Wayne Shorter himself who demonstrates with his ruminations what everbody says throughout the doc: he's a visionary who dwells on another plane.

Anyone who appreciates music, even those who aren't jazz fans, will find a lot to unpack here. Shorter refused to be button-holed into categories, and his life avoids the typical jazz player's trajectories (addictions & other destructive behavior, selling out to stay relevant, etc.). Act 2 focuses on his mid-career with heartbreaking personal losses, and hearing how he came through it is inspirational.

But Act 3 (post-Weather Report, with which I wasn't that familiar) is an uplifting, glorious final act that brings tears of joy and a smile that lingers long after the doc ends. Hopefully, afterward, folks will check out those Blue Note solo albums, the early Weather Reports and, especially, his quartet and solo projects. They'll be thankful they did.