Musician. Born John Francis Anthony Pastorius III in Norristown, Pennsylvania, he was a master jazz performer acknowledged for his virtuoso skills as an electric bass player. In the late 1960s, he was playing R&B in local bands when he begun to appreciate jazz music. He began playing with his friend and jazz guitarist, Pat Metheny and together with drummer Bob Moses they recorded the album "Bright Size Light" in 1974. He recorded a solo titled album "Joco Pastorius" in 1976, which exploded onto the jazz scene and many consider this to be the finest bass album ever recorded. Soon he appeared on many albums by other artists to include Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, David Sanborn, Joni Mitchell and many more. Around this time, he joined the jazz group Weather Report and he made his indelible mark on jazz music, by being featured on one of the most popular jazz albums of all time, the Grammy Award nominated "Heavy Weather" (1977). In 1981, he left Weather Report to pursue other interest and released his second solo album "Word of Mouth'. 1982, found him touring Japan, the U.S. and he recorded a third solo album "Holiday for Pans". By 1986, he had released a third solo album "Invitation" (1983) and due to the demands of performing he was having deteriorating health and behavior problems. He moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in December of 1986, where he wandered the streets until his untimely death at age 35. He was posthumously inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1988. To honor his legend, the Fender Custom Shop in Corona, California, released the first Jaco Pastorius Signature Jazz Bass in 1991, which remains in production to date.
Musician. Born John Francis Anthony Pastorius III in Norristown, Pennsylvania, he was a master jazz performer acknowledged for his virtuoso skills as an electric bass player. In the late 1960s, he was playing R&B in local bands when he begun to appreciate jazz music. He began playing with his friend and jazz guitarist, Pat Metheny and together with drummer Bob Moses they recorded the album "Bright Size Light" in 1974. He recorded a solo titled album "Joco Pastorius" in 1976, which exploded onto the jazz scene and many consider this to be the finest bass album ever recorded. Soon he appeared on many albums by other artists to include Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, David Sanborn, Joni Mitchell and many more. Around this time, he joined the jazz group Weather Report and he made his indelible mark on jazz music, by being featured on one of the most popular jazz albums of all time, the Grammy Award nominated "Heavy Weather" (1977). In 1981, he left Weather Report to pursue other interest and released his second solo album "Word of Mouth'. 1982, found him touring Japan, the U.S. and he recorded a third solo album "Holiday for Pans". By 1986, he had released a third solo album "Invitation" (1983) and due to the demands of performing he was having deteriorating health and behavior problems. He moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in December of 1986, where he wandered the streets until his untimely death at age 35. He was posthumously inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1988. To honor his legend, the Fender Custom Shop in Corona, California, released the first Jaco Pastorius Signature Jazz Bass in 1991, which remains in production to date.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Pastorius memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
