Plot Synopsis

Executive produced by Brad Pitt and directed by Dorsay Alavi, WAYNE SHORTER: ZERO GRAVITY is a three-part documentary series that reveals three prolific periods of the life of jazz legend Wayne Shorter and how through adversity, he grew to greatness, shattered the limitations of jazz, and became one of the most influential musicians and composers in American music. All three episodes (called portals) of WAYNE SHORTER: ZERO GRAVITY dropped on Friday, August 25, 2023 on Prime Video:

"Newark Flash in NYC 1933-1971": Portal 1 transports us into Shorter's childhood, filled with comics and movies that serendipitously lead him to music. He writes and plays with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, records stunning solo compositions for Blue Note Records and joins the Miles Davis Quintet. Shorter's virtuosity and arrangements take Davis in a new direction, inspiring the titles of some Miles Davis Quintet albums.

"Faith Is to Be Fearless 1972-1999": Portal 2 explores Shorter's struggle with trauma and addiction. He discovers Buddhism. He and Joseph Zawinul form the popular jazz rock group Weather Report and become pioneers of the jazz rock movement. Shorter collaborates with Milton Nascimentos, Joni Mitchell, and Herbie Hancock, marking this era as the most commercially successful period of his career.

"Zero Graviy 2000-Infinity": In Portal 3, Shorter redefines jazz and encourage artistic exploration to affect social change. He sees "Zero Gravity" as breaking free from the genre's confines and oppressive societal conditioning. In his 80s, he innovates with his quartet and orchestral compositions, creating his most prolific body of work. He proves that the human being behind the instrument remains of the utmost importance.