The child prodigy, originally named John, was educated in catholic school throughout the elementary and middle years, and was even an altar boy at the adjoining church. What he seemed to be most interested in at the time was drawing and sports, baseball especially. His love of sports got him the name "Jocko" partially influenced by Chicago White Sox outfielder, Jocko Conlan. It wasn't until Alex Darqui, a french pianist sent him a note with the misspelled name, that he would pick up on the symbolic spelling of "Jaco."
Inevitably, Jaco picked up music at a very young age, and began with his fathers choice of instrument, drums. This was until he injured his wrist playing football at age 13, and corrective surgery handicapped his ability to play. At the time he was in a band called "Las Olas Brass" and the bass player had decided to quit, it was this shift in events that sent him to a pawn shop for a $15 bass guitar.
After learning and appreciating the instrument, his new love for jazz influenced him to purchase an upright bass, but before he was able to find himself within it, humidity and over-maintaining eventually cracked the instrument, forcing him to trade it for a 1960 Fender jazz bass.
"Wayne Cochran and the C.C. Riders" would be his first big break, a big change from his first band "The Sonics." He played on some local records such as "Ira Sullivan's Quintet" and in 1974, he began to play with guitarist Pat Menathy. Drummer Bob Moses and the two shredders recorded a trio album called "Bright Size Life."
Jaco later joined "Weather Report" after introducing himself as the best bass player in the world, and being persistently irritating to their keyboardist Zawinul. He was told off and cussed out, but sure enough his show-stopping attitude and harmonic bass lines landed him a spot in the "Black Market" recording sessions. It wasn't until Alphonso Johnson quit the band to begin his own project, that Jaco was invited to be their official bassist. He would play with the band until 1983, in this time he had made his influential mark on jazz culture, including being featured on the Grammy-nominated album, "Heavy Weather" among dozens of other popular jazz albums.Once again, he would slip on his father's shoes pursuing a big band project called "Word of Mouth." He featured musicians such as Herbie Hancock and flute player Hubert Laws. This project highlighted his songwriting potential and his superb ability to bring out the background instruments lead melodies. Among his many projects, Jaco also recorded an instructional video called "Modern electric Bass."
In 1982, his touring in Japan for "Twins" would bring a darker Jaco afloat. He was reported to have painted his face black and threw his bass into Hiroshima bay. Still unreleased, "Holiday for pans" would be his next project, in which he was shown as a composer and producer more than a performer. Strangely, Jaco did not play any of the bass lines on this album. In 2003, "Good morning Anya" was pulled from this album by Rhino Records for an anthology named "Punk Jazz."
After many years of drug and alcohol avoidance, his years with "Weather Report" brought out his wilder side, and in 1982 he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. His tour for "Word of Mouth" would bring concern to his band mates and wife, Ingrid, during which he showed erratic behavior and was suggested for mental rehabilitation. Regardless of prescriptions such as lithium, and repeated hospitalization, Jaco's health continued to worsen.
He was later evicted from his New York apartment, and spent some time on the streets. After admittance to Bellevue Hospital in New york, he returned to his hometown of Fort Lauderdale, yet had still found himself on the streets for weeks at a time.
On September 11, 1987 Jaco reportedly snuck onstage during a Carlos Santana concert. After being ejected from the premises, he made his way to the Midnight Bottle club in Wilton Manors, FL, where his fate was waiting at the door. Upon being denied from the venue, he kicked in the glass door, and was confronted by bouncer, Luc Havan. The world's greatest bass player as we know him was hospitalized for fractures to his eyes and arm, later falling into a coma, and death by hemorrhage being Jaco's unfortunate finale. Jaco Pastorius died on September 21, 1987 at the Broward General Medical Center.
Luc Havan was charged with second-degree murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and was only sentenced to 22 months in jail and 5 years probation. The killer ended up serving only 4 months in jail for good behavior.
Jaco to this day is still considered the best by many, and has received many tributes including compositions by Miles Davis and Victor Wooten. Oakland Park was re-named "Jaco Pastorius park" in 2008 in honor of the former resident. Around the same time, Fender released the Jaco Pastorius fretless jazz bass from their artist series, designed to mimic the iconic worn down instrument Jaco had played to his death day. He was nominated for induction into the "Down Beat" jazz hall of fame in 1988, being one of only four nominees.
The jazz culture and world alike will always remember Jaco Pastorius for his harmonious, almost vocal performances, his vibrant personality, and his righteous contribution to the jazz sound he never seemed to take a liking to. In memory, may he rest in peace.
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| John "Jaco" Pastorius 1951-1987 |
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References:
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