Remembering Jaco
Twenty years ago today, when I was a music major in college, I was heading to my bass locker after class and someone told me Jaco Pastorius had died. I’d never met him or seen him live, and yet it was as if I lost a close family member. He was only 35.
His death has been well documented since then, amid controversy about what really happened.
In 2002, I had the great pleasure of working with Jaco’s family to revive his official site, and I participated in the long awaited “Portrait of Jaco” CD project. Needless to say, the experience of seeing Jaco’s possessions first-hand and working with his family and close friends was a highlight of this fanboy’s life. Jaco’s brother Rory has become a great friend to me over the years.
As I work today iTunes is set to shuffle through Jaco’s music, I can’t help but to think what would have been, if Jaco was still around. As it was, he composed and recorded plenty during his brief career and changed the electric bass forever. What if he had been around for the last 20 years? Hard to imagine how much more he could have done for the bass and music.
Today also marks the end of my time managing the official site. Back in June, I asked Jaco’s oldest son John about transitioning away from the project. So, I plan to participate as a fan for a change, along with all other the great fans who frequent the site and the conversation there.
If you haven’t experienced Jaco yet, check out my lens and see what you think. Jaco played jazz, R&B, rock, folk, and more with Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, and he could lay it down like no other. I’m betting you’ll find something you enjoy.
Posted by corey brown on September 21st, 2007
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