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Jaco Pastorius

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Norristown PA, United States (1951 – 1987)

John Francis Anthony “Jaco” Pastorius III (December 1, 1951–September 21, 1987) was an American jazz musician and composer widely acknowledged for his skills as an electric bass player, as well as his command of varied musical styles including jazz, jazz fusion, funk, and jazz-funk. He is also regarded as one of the most skilled and influential bass players of all time.

His playing style was noteworthy for containing intricate solos in the higher register. His innovations also included the use of harmonics and the “singing” quality of his melodies on fretless bass. In 2006, Pastorius was voted “The Greatest Bass Player Who Has Ever Lived” by reader submissions in Bass Guitar magazine. He was inducted into Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1988, one of only four bassists to be so honored (the others being Charles Mingus, Milt Hinton, and Ray Brown), and the only electric bassist to receive this distinction.

Jaco was born December 1, 1951 in Norristown, Pennsylvania to John Francis Pastorius II and Stephanie Katherine Haapala Pastorius, the first of their three children. Pastorius was of Finnish, German, and Irish ancestry.

Pastorius formed his first band named The Sonics along with John Caputo and Dean Noel. He went to high school at Northeast High in Oakland Park. He was a talented athlete with skills in football, basketball, and baseball, and he picked up music at an early age. He took the name “Anthony” at his confirmation.

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jazz, bass, fusion, jazz fusion, funk
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Top Tracks

1	Continuum full track	424
2	Come On, Come Over full track	366
3	Portrait of Tracy full track	343
4	Donna Lee full track	308
5	Opus Pocus full track	236
6	Okonkole y Trompa full track	169
7	Liberty City	168
8	Kuru/Speak Like a Child full track	164
9	Forgotten Love full track	143
10	(Used to Be A) Cha-Cha full track	124
11	Invitation	111
12	3 Views of a Secret	81
13	Chromatic Fantasy	76
14	Blackbird	73
15	Soul Intro/The Chicken	71

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Hayzi22 wrote:
16 hours ago

Jaco Pastorius is my favorite.

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Kawww wrote:
yesterday morning

Come onnn, Come on overrr

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caiquenba wrote:
24 days ago

THE CHICKEN! Best bass groove ever...

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PascaGabi wrote:
28 days ago

i 100% agree with DeathSource

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DeathSource wrote:
29 days ago

definitely one of the best bassist

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EggToastKid wrote:
December 2009

There's no question. He was the greatest bassist who has ever lived.

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hirohito555 wrote:
November 2009

Practice! Practice! Practice!!!!!

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szmataarmata wrote:
November 2009

Hey! If you are fan o Weather Report (with Jaco or without him) join my group - http://www.lastfm.pl/group/Weather+Report

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JazzyUh_ wrote:
November 2009

The pic is awesome!

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staplefish wrote:
November 2009

needs more love from the masses

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ericthebass wrote:
November 2009

an icon, he made cry the bass

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Lyana_M wrote:
November 2009

genius of bass guitar!! <3

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abialystok wrote:
November 2009

amazing man

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mynameisalive wrote:
November 2009

The best, Jaco.

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jimmytheone44 wrote:
November 2009

lol chord. Good pun.

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Kawww wrote:
October 2009

Portrait of Tracy really strikes a chord with me. Such a perfect song.

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sidjustis wrote:
October 2009

portrait of tracy... marvellous

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JTaylors1stgirl wrote:
October 2009

Lengend!

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takeratta wrote:
October 2009

jaco & his groovy spirit is forever. :) <3

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npcza wrote:
September 2009

used to be a cha cha

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Recent Activity

ciapata1987, francakes, carrefur and 3 other people added Jaco Pastorius to their libraries. 8 minutes ago
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