Wdr big band jaco pastorius biography

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And, during a trip to the famed Berklee College of Music in Boston, Jaco showed the students how he achieved his upright-esque sound on an electric. Inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame as a bassist in 1988, he was one of four (the other being Charles Mingus and Milt Hinton) and the only electric bassesist to have this honor. He began drinking and using cocaine.

His playing style was notable for its intricate solos in higher registers.

He enjoyed basketball and would often watch it with his dad. Jaco played in New York and toured in Europe with a guitarist/bassist. He was credited as a co-producer on the band’s 1977 album, Heavy Weather, best known for the tunes “Birdland” and Jaco’s “Teen Town.” The album made a huge splash, and became a Gold record in the year of its release.

On Sept. Although he wasn’t a bass player, Jaco slid into the empty slot. Jaco filled in the areas where the frets had been with plastic wood and coated the former fretboard with epoxy. It was gorgeous, Brent said. However, Jaco’s reputation as a bassist was sterling — Down Beat magazine readers and critics voted him their No.

1 electric bassist that year.

At this time, Jaco’s relationship with his girlfriend, Teresa, grew more volatile and Jaco began drinking more. He gradually climbed the ladder of success, starting with local bands such as the funk trio Woodchuck (1969-70) and the polished white soul group Tommy Strand & The Upper Hand (1971-72), and moving on to touring the country with Wayne Cochran & The C.C.

Riders (1972-73), which served as a creative catalyst for Pastorius. He learned to read music during his 1972 stint with the group.

Jaco’s and Tracy’s marriage also ended in this period, with their divorce becoming final in early 1979. His bass playing grew while he was in the trio.

In the very active days of 1974 and 1975, Jaco also communicated with Joe Zawinul, leader of jazz fusion band Weather Report.

Crowds flocked to see him jump off his amplifier, paying homage to the rock and roll ways he was influenced by in his home state of Florida. Legendary R&B duo Sam & Dave handled vocals on “Come On, Come Over.” Herbie Hancock appeared on the album throughout.