Watch Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity

The acclaimed jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter is the subject of the new documentary Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity. Directed by Marie-Hélène Rebois, this intimate film provides a glimpse into the life and storied career of one of the most influential figures in jazz history. Now 89 years old, Shorter granted the filmmaker extraordinary access, allowing her camera to follow him both on and off stage.

Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity traces Shorter's journey from his humble beginnings in Newark, New Jersey to becoming a pioneer of jazz fusion and an iconic member of Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet. We see glimpses of Shorter's childhood and hear stories about discovering the saxophone and falling in love with jazz as a teenager. Interviews with childhood friends, family members, and musicians he collaborated with early in his career provide insight into Shorter's musical origins and rapid rise to prominence in the late 1950s.

The film also documents Shorter's incredibly prolific run as part of Miles Davis Quintet, where he recorded over a dozen highly influential albums that incorporated more avant-garde and rock-influenced elements into jazz. His Counterculture sound would lay the groundwork for the jazz fusion movement of the 1970s. Archival footage and photos from recording sessions and performances provide a window into this creatively fertile period.

In the 1970s, Shorter would form the pioneering jazz fusion group Weather Report. We get a front row seat as Shorter and longtime collaborator Joe Zawinul improvise in the studio, crafting the highly original synthesis of jazz harmonies and rhythms with rock energy that became Weather Report's signature. Interviews with former bandmates shed light on Shorter's collaborative creative process and openness to new musical ideas.

Throughout his long career, Shorter has continually explored new musical directions, right up to the present day. The film considers the philosophical dimensions of Shorter's work, and his interest in comics, science fiction and Eastern philosophy. Interviews with Shorter, as well as fellow musicians Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell and Carlos Santana, provide insight into his creative vision and enduring influence as a composer.

Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity gives audiences a rare look into the life of an artist who has shaped the sound of jazz across multiple eras. This intimate portrait celebrates Shorter's restless creativity, musical genius, and 80+ years dedicated to his craft.

Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (3 episodes). The series first aired on August 25, 2023.