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Jaco Pastorius

Musician

American bassist and composer (1951–1987). Widely regarded as an innovator of the fretless electric bass and a leading figure in jazz fusion; member of Weather Report and leader of the Word of Mouth projects.

Innovator of the fretless electric bass; prominent in 1970s–early 1980s jazz fusion. Worked with Weather Report and collaborated with artists such as Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Suffered from mental illness and substance abuse; assaulted and fatally injured in 1987.

Reviewers consistently praise Jaco Pastorius as a virtuoso and an innovator of the fretless electric bass. His studio work and live recordings receive high marks, while many reviews also recount his decline due to mental illness and substance abuse. Posthumous anthologies and live documents are valued by fans.

For:bassists, jazz fans, music historians, DeBaser readers

 Truth, Freedom, and Soul. You've put them all in.

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 My name is John Francis Pastorius III and I am the greatest bass player in the world.

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 Who loves ya, Jaco?

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