Concert at NMSU celebrates sax great Wayne Shorter

The New Mexico State University Music Department will host a concert, "Speak No Evil – A Tribute to Wayne Shorter," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept.  21, in Atkinson Recital Hall, inside the NMSU Music Building, 1075 N. Horseshoe St. on campus.

The event is free and open to the public.

Shorter, who died last March at the age of 89, is “considered to be one of the world’s greatest composers and one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of all time,” according to https://wayneshorterofficial.com/.

Shorter received 11 Grammy awards, a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, five honorary doctorate degrees, the Kennedy Center Honor, Polar Music Prize, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and many other awards and honors for his contributions to music, the website said.

Many of Shorter’s more than 200 compositions “have become jazz standards and his music has earned worldwide recognition, critical praise and various commendations,” the website said.

The NMSU concert will feature tenor saxophone players Josh Carter and Abel Mireles.

Carter, originally from Alamogordo, has played on the professional circuit in New York for many years, according to a news release about the NMSU concert. Born and raised in Cuidad Juarez, Mexico, Mireles released a solo album, “Animo,” in 2022.

Concert attendees “can expect an unforgettable evening of world-class jazz music as the performers pay tribute to the legendary Wayne Shorter through their unique interpretations of his classic compositions,” the news release said.

"We're excited to be hosting the talented musicians Josh Carter and Abel Mireles for this tribute concert to Wayne Shorter," said Music Department Graduate Assistant Lincoln Larsen. "This concert is a must-see event for jazz enthusiasts and music lovers alike."

For more information, contact Dalager at jdalager@nmsu.edu.