1964 was a pivotal year in the musical life of Wayne Shorter. Early in the year, the saxophonist was still a member of Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, appearing on classic Blue Note albums like Free for All and Indestructible.

That summer he would join the Miles Davis Quintet, cementing a lineup that became one of the seminal bands in jazz history. But before that he stepped out confidently as a Blue Note artist when he entered Van Gelder Studio in April to record his masterful label debut as a leader, Night Dreamer.

The sublime six-song set signaled the arrival of one of the most important new voices in jazz, a visionary composer and thrilling improviser with a wholly distinctive sound. Timeless Shorter originals including “Black Nile,” “Virgo,” “Armageddon,” and the extraordinary title track are given transcendent performances by a quintet featuring trumpeter Lee Morgan, pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Reggie Workman, and drummer Elvin Jones.

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.