Description
The reputation of the late Jaco Pastorius is legendary, based as much on his mercurial personality as his groundbreaking bass playing and small but significant repertoire of original music. His declining mental health became increasingly evident following his departure from fusion super group Weather Report, ultimately leading to his tragic demise in 1987.
If Pastorius had the swagger of a stadium rocker, he also had the harmonic sophistication of a jazz musician. With his fretless bass, he redefined the sound and role of his instrument.
Trumpeter Randy Brecker, saxophonist/bass clarinetist Bob (“Bobby”) Mintzer, steel drummer Othello Molineaux, drummer Peter Erskine and recently deceased percussionist Don Alias were all members of Pastorius’ Word of Mouth Big Band but here, as a sextet, they’re all given considerably more maneuvering room.
Jaco’s revolutionary approach to the fretless bass has ensured his enduring place in jazz history. His ability to combine frightening virtuosity with unshakable groove and deep lyricism leaves an impact as potent now as it was then.
