Meet his Daughters Miyako Shorter, and Iska Shorter

Wayne Shorter was a legendary jazz saxophonist and composer who passed away on March 2, 2023, at the age of 89. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential and original musicians of his generation, having worked with artists such as Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Joni Mitchell, and Weather Report.

He won 12 Grammy awards, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Polar Music Prize, and the Kennedy Center Honors, among other accolades. He also left behind a rich legacy of compositions, such as Footprints, Nefertiti, and Birdland, that have become jazz standards.

But apart from his remarkable musical career, Wayne was also a devoted father to two daughters: Miyako Shorter and Iska Shorter. In this article, we will explore the lives of these two women, who were both named after songs that their fathers wrote for them.

Wayne Shorter Children

Shorter was not only a musical genius, but also a loving father to two daughters: Miyako and Iska. They were both named after songs that he wrote for them, and they both inherited his artistic spirit and talent.

They also faced different challenges and tragedies in their lives, but they never lost their joy and passion. They were a source of inspiration and pride for their father, who cherished them deeply. Wayne Shorter’s children are a testament to his legacy of creativity and love.

Miyako Shorter: The Daughter of Wayne and Teruko Nakagami

Miyako Shorter was born in 1962 in the United States, as the first child of Wayne and his first wife, Teruko Nakagami. Teruko was a Japanese actress who had appeared in films such as The Yakuza and Lady Snowblood. She married Wayne in 1961, when he was still struggling to make a name for himself in the jazz scene.

A year later, they welcomed their daughter Miyako, who was a source of joy and inspiration for Wayne. He composed a song called Infant Eyes for her, which appeared on his 1964 album Speak No Evil. He also wrote another song called Miyako for her, which was released on his 1967 album Schizophrenia.

Miyako spent her early years with her parents, but their marriage did not last long. They divorced in 1966, when she was only four years old. She stayed with her mother, who later remarried the actor Billy Dee Williams in 1972. Billy Dee was best known for his role as Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise. He became a stepfather to Miyako, who was 10 years old at the time. He also had a son, Corey, from a previous marriage, who became Miyako’s stepbrother.

Miyako grew up in a blended family, surrounded by celebrities and artists. She maintained a close relationship with her biological father, Wayne, who often visited her and took her to his concerts. She also developed an interest in music and art, following in her parents’ footsteps. She learned to play the piano and the flute, and also studied painting and photography. She graduated from the California Institute of the Arts with a degree in fine arts.

Miyako pursued a career as an artist, exhibiting her paintings and photographs in various galleries and museums. She also worked as a graphic designer and a music producer. She collaborated with her father on some of his projects, such as his 2018 album Emanon, which featured a comic book that Miyako helped to create. She also produced a documentary film about her father’s life and music, called Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity, which was released in 2019.

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Iska Shorter: The Daughter of Wayne and Ana Maria Patricio

Iska Shorter was born in 1972 in the United States, as the second child of Wayne and his second wife, Ana Maria Patricio. Ana Maria was a Brazilian singer and songwriter, who met Wayne in 1969, when he was touring in Brazil with Miles Davis. They fell in love and got married in 1970, and moved to Los Angeles, California. They had a son, Oluwaseyi, in 1971, and a daughter, Iska, in 1972.

Iska was named after a song that Wayne wrote for her, which appeared on his 1974 album Native Dancer. The song was a tribute to Iska’s Brazilian heritage, and featured vocals by Ana Maria. Iska was a beautiful and lively child, who inherited her parents’ musical talent and passion.

She learned to play the guitar and the drums, and also sang and danced. She was very close to her brother, Oluwaseyi, who also played music and sports. They often performed together at school and family events, and enjoyed traveling with their parents.

Iska had a bright future ahead of her, but tragically, her life was cut short by a sudden and severe seizure. On June 14, 1986, when she was only 14 years old, Iska suffered a grand mal seizure, which caused her to lose consciousness and stop breathing. She was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late to save her. She died in her father’s arms, leaving him and her family heartbroken.

Iska’s memory lives on in her father’s music and in the hearts of those who knew her. She was a bright star that shone briefly but brilliantly, and left a lasting impression on the world.

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