Jaco Pastorius

Pastorius in 1980

John Francis Anthony Pastorius III (December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987), better known as Jaco Pastorius, was an American jazz bassist. Despite his short career, he is considered by many to be the greatest bassist of all time. He was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Pastorius was a member of Weather Report from 1976 to 1981. He worked with Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, and recorded albums as a solo artist and band leader. Pastorius was the first bassist in any genre to use harmonics in his bass playing, which can be heard in songs such as "Portrait of Tracy".[1]

Pastorius developed a self-destructive habit of provoking bar fights and allowing himself to be beaten up. On September 11, 1987, Pastorius was beaten to the point that he became comatose after a Carlos Santana concert in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[2] He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and a few days later led to brain death. He was disconnected from life support and died on September 21, 1987 at the age of 35 at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale.

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References

  1. Zimmerman, Lee. Happy Birthday, Jaco Pastorius!. New Times Broward-Palm Beach (1 December 2011). Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  2. Krause, Renee. Noted Musician Listed As Critical After Altercation. Sun Sentinel (16 September 1987). Retrieved 15 February 2014.

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