Taking cues from Ethan Iverson (The New Yorker, Aug 25 2018), I’ve assembled a short playlist from Wayne Shorter’s three Blue Note albums in 1964. The three—well-known to serious listeners and accessible to casual listeners—are Night Dreamer, Juju, and Speak No Evil. Iverson calls Shorter the “greatest living jazz composer,” and these sides are more than ample evidence for that claim. The backing musicians are all superb; Elvin Jones plays on every date, and I’ve made this claim before: Jones is at his finest with Shorter on Blue Note. I was raised on Jones behind Coltrane on Impulse!, but the Blue Note dates (with Shorter and with others) bring out a fully dimensional master.

Here’s my playlist: “Night Dreamer,” “Armageddon,” “Yes or No,” “Twelve More Bars to Go,” “Witch Hunt,” and “Infant Eyes.” (Left to my own I might have made a few different choices, but I really like what Iverson helped me to hear.)

It's hard for me to agree with anyone who thinks Wayne Shorter is not among the most important jazz figures of the 1960s. I prefer him over other candidates because of his important contributions as a sideman, and did any bandleader in the decade, other than Miles Davis, produce evidence that was as consistently excellent? A composer, player, and leader, Shorter participated in many of the most important movements, with the exception of free jazz. His own albums on Blue Note and his recordings with Miles Davis' quintet are proof enough of his high ranking. Another measure, for this writer, is my opinion that Shorter brought out the best in Elvin Jones, which might be blasphemy to those of you who prefer Coltrane and Jones.

Night Dreamer, recorded in 1964, is my favorite from his string of outstanding Blue Note releases. Featuring Lee Morgan, Reggie Workman, Jones, and McCoy Tyner (curiously listed as "Etc." on the cover), the album presents six solid originals, including the familiar title tune and "Black Nile." There are two takes of "Virgo"—both are very good. My recommendation for a playlist is the beautiful "Oriental Folk Song."