Jaco Pastorius Biography
In his relatively short life and career, bassist Jaco Pastorius (1951-1987) emerged as one of the instrument’s true visionaries. His technique, imagination and melodic inventiveness on the fretless bass elevated the role of the bass guitar in contemporary jazz, and his approach influenced multiple generations of musicians. Pastorius’ innovative playing was matched by his charismatic, flamboyant performing style, and by his talents as a composer, arranger and producer. His work as a leader and sideman, and as a member of fusion pioneers Weather Report, established him as a seminal figure whose influence is still being felt long after his tragic passing.
John Francis Pastorius III grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he began as a drummer, but switched to bass at the age of 13 after a football injury to his wrist. He subsequently built a reputation as both a high-school athlete and a local musical hero, backing visiting R&B and pop acts while still a teenager. In 1974, Pastorius gained some early attention while recording with a young Pat Metheny. His growing reputation won him an offer of a solo deal with Columbia Records, for which he recorded his self-titled 1976 debut album. That set was widely acclaimed within the jazz world, and featured an all-star roster of musicians, including Don Alias, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock, David Sanborn, Wayne Shorter and Lenny White.
The same year that his solo album was released, Pastorius was invited to join Weather Report, which was already established as a leading light in the booming jazz fusion movement. Pastorius spent five years with Weather Report, working alongside such formidable figures as Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter and playing on such popular albums as Black Market, Heavy Weather and Mr. Gone. When he wasn’t working with Weather Report, Pastorius kept busy as a session player, recording with such varied acts as Joni Mitchell, Al DiMeola, Herbie Hancock, Ian Hunter, Airto Moreia, Flora Purim and Tom Scott.
After leaving Weather Report in 1981, Jaco toured and recorded with his own band, Word of Mouth, whose lineup could vary from large ensemble to big band, and which sometimes featured such guest players as Herbie Hancock and Weather Report alumni Wayne Shorter and Peter Erskine. In the mid-’80s, Pastorius’ career was sidelined by substance abuse and mental illness, which contributed to his death in 1987.
Despite his tragic end, Pastorius’ recorded work continues to inspire listeners and around the world. In 2006, two decades after death, Pastorius was voted the greatest bass player of all time in a Bass Guitar magazine readers poll.
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