Who has seen the documentary on Jaco Pastorius (bassist)

[Le Gaucher]

It's available on Netflix.

It really broke my heart to see how tormented he was... And despite his genius he had trouble getting gigs later in life. It also gave an insight into the competitive nature of artists ( whom I, in general, idolize as being more advanced humans ) and how they too can act out of jealousy and fear.

Highly recommend watching if you are fan of Jaco, Weather Report or good improvisational music in general.

[Lochloosa]

1. I've watched it...really well done.

[hatrack]

2. Absolutely brilliant - wonderful and heartbreaking. . .

I've played bass for more than 30 years, and Jaco was one of my real musical heroes.

As you note, there's no upper limit to how much of a dick musicians can be (though they're not always so) and Zawinul was - tremendously talented, and a tremendous asshole.

And, putting how head and shoulders he was above anyone else at the time, to quote one of the other musicians quoted in the credits, "And he's doing all this on a fretless - so fuck that guy!"

[ADX]

3. While Jaco certainly was a virtuoso...

...he most definitely was NOT "head and shoulders above" Stanley Clarke.

Just sayin'...

[hatrack]

5. Can't agree - Jaco redefined electric bass, as Hendrix redefined electric guitar

No disrespect to Stanley, who is a freaking monster, but it's a different kind of achievement.

In terms of great bass players there are many - Stanley Clarke, Michael Manring, Dave Carpenter, NHOP, Jeff Berlin, John Wetton, Jimmy Garrison, Ron Carter, Paul McCartney, Jimmy Haslip, Bootsy Collins, Alphonso Johnson . . .

In terms of people who redefined the instrument, it's a shorter list: I'd say Jimmy Blanton, James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorius.

Isn't hashing out definitive, final answers to totally subjective topics fun?

[Le Gaucher]

8. I think Jaco was born 40 years too early ..

He did not deserve to go through gate keepers ( ie labels) of music - They either did not have brains to appreciate his music or the balls to market it. Jaco deserved YouTube.

Although the tragedy of his life shades his music and arouses a senses of pathos that would not have been possible if he were alive today.

Some people were just meant to die to make the world see/hear them the way they wanted to be seen/heard.

[HeartachesNhangovers]

10. I think he was born at the perfect time.

I was in my twenties when he was in his prime and I knew a lot of young people who listened to Jaco and other "jazz", and who also had "rock", "pop" and even "country" in their record collections. If Jaco played today, he'd be almost completely ignored by young people. People have become much less musically adventurous in the last few decades.

[Le Gaucher]

12. Which is true .. but the audience is very fragmented today .. most musicians

today they are able to attract a small but dedicated listeners who follow them on YouTube and live tours. Rarely can you become a millionaire .. but talented folks can make a decent living.

Guthrie Govan/ Jack Thammarat etc have become almost become mainstream names from Underground legends -thanks to YouTube

[Le Gaucher]

9. The part about Zawinul hurt me the most .. given that so many other musician have

prospered under him. That includes the legendary Scott Henderson who played with before going off on his own. I also personally know Amit Chaterjee who worships Zawinul and cites his influence at every opportunity.

I feel that had Zawinul encouraged and embraced Jaco - he would had more tools to deal with his struggles.

[SwissTony]

4. Can you tell me the name of the doco?

I see a film just called "Jaco" produced by Robert Trujillo. Is that it?

Many thanks.

[hatrack]

6. That's the one!

[Le Gaucher]

7. Yes that is the one I saw

.

[nolabear]

11. Thanks for mentioning it. I saw him once with Chick Corea

He was truly amazing. I loved just about all he did from Weather Report to Joni Mitchell and his own stuff. I've been told he deteriorated but I never knew it.