John Francis Anthony Pastorius III (December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987), known as Jaco Pastorius, was an influential American jazz musician, composer, big band leader and electric bass player. He is best known for his work with Weather Report from 1976 to 1981, as well as work with artists including Joni Mitchell and his own solo projects.His playing was known for its highly technical, Latin-influenced 16th-note funk, lyrical soloing on fretless bass and innovative use of harmonics. He was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1988, one of only seven bassists so honored (and the only electric bass guitarist).
Jack Pastorius, Stephanie Katherine Haapala Pastorius
Siblings
Gregory Pastorius
Music Groups
Weather Report, Jaco Pastorius Big Band, Blood, Sweat & Tears
Movies
Jaco, Shadows and Light, Weather Report: Live at Montreux 1976
Star Sign
Sagittarius
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Trademark
1
Fender Jazz bass
2
Revolutionary bass playing technique
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Fact
1
Came to prominence after backing both The Temptations and The Supremes.
2
Forced by a football injury to his arm while in his teens to give up playing piano and saxophone and concentrate on drums and bass.
3
His 1976 self-titled solo album is considered a seminal work in the history of jazz fusion, containing such highlights as the cover of Miles Davis's "Donna Lee", "Continuum", "Portrait of Tracy" and "Opus Pocus".
4
Other than playing in Weather Report, Jaco also performed and recorded with Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, Al Di Meola and Mike Stern. He was also involved in a big band solo project Word of Mouth, who released one album in 1981.
5
With Ingrid, he had twin sons, Julius and Felix, born on June 9, 1982.
6
He performed on five of Weather Report's studio albums. Those albums are called "Black Market" (1976), "Heavy Weather" (1977), "Mr. Gone" (1978), "Night Passage" (1980) and "Weather Report" (1982). He also played on their 1979 live album "8:30".
7
Regarded as one of the most influential bass players of all time.
8
Was beaten to death by a Florida club bouncer.
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Bassist For Jazz Band Weather Report
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Shadows and Light
1980
Video documentary performer: "Jaco's Solo" / writer: "Jaco's Solo"
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Shadows and Light
1980
Video documentary
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Shadows and Light
1980
Video documentary
Himself - bass
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Jaco
2015
Documentary
Himself
This Beat Goes On: Canadian Pop Music in the 1970s
$1.4 Million