Matt Anderson’s “Wild Flower”: Celebrating 60 Years of Wayne Shorter

Wild Flower Quintet celebrates the 60th anniversary of Wayne Shorter’s classic recordings for Blue Note Records with an all-star line-up. Led by saxophonist Matt Anderson, the group plays original music inspired by Shorter’s sound and approach, alongside new arrangements of both his classic and lesser-known compositions. Their 2015 album Wild Flower was described by Selwyn Harris in Jazzwise as “Their own unique stamp on Shorter’s very personal repertoire… of a quality that resonates with its inspirational source… Enjoyably un-pretentious.”

Born in the North Yorkshire Moors, the son of a music teacher, saxophonist and Dankworth Prize-winning composer Matt Anderson has been based in London since 2015. Since his debut with Wild Flower, he has made three further albums with the Matt Anderson Quartet, with the latest Live at Leeds Jazz Festival released in 2024 to glowing reviews, including four stars in Jazzwise, and airplay on BBC Radio 3. Becoming part of the fertile jazz scene in the capital, Anderson has performed with artists/bands such as the Gareth Lockrane Big Band, Jamie Doe’s The Magic Lantern and Ivo Neame.

Also in the front line is trumpeter Klara Devlin, who is fast emerging as one of the leading players of the new generation, appearing in the 2024 BBC Young Jazz Musician final and fronting her own band at venues across London. In the rhythm section, pianist Sam Watts is a mainstay of the London jazz scene and has performed with artists such as Jean Toussaint and Emma Smith, as well as leading Brazilian jazz trio Djangada. Bassist Oli Hayhurst is one of the most in-demand players in Europe, playing with Pharoah Sanders on all of his European dates from 2012-22. On the drums, Sam Gardner played on the debut Wild Flower album in 2015, and is also known in the jazz world for his work with artists like Dominic J Marshall and Ashley Henry.

Music here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM4fawOZzi8&t=4s

“This is sophisticated stuff, with a proper handle on Shorter’s post-bop genius… Everyone plays superbly and the whole set is wholly recommended.” Jazz Journal *****

“a well-integrated, swinging and supremely confident ensemble… [with] a soulful depth to his musicality that underpins the academic attention to detail” Jazzwise ****

“a terrific live set. Individually and collectively, the performances are first-rate. Anderson takes his influences… but adds his own freshness and open approach showing a vibrant, warm tone throughout.” All About Jazz ***½