American bassist and composer from Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA.
Born: 1 December 1951 in Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA.
Died: 21 September 1987 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA (aged 35).
An influential American jazz musician, composer, big band leader and electric bass player; Jaco Pastorius was all of these and more at a young age. Best known for his work with Weather Report between 1976 and 1981, also working with the likes of Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny, et al, along with his own solo projects.
He was inducted into US jazz magazine Down Beat's "Jazz Hall Of Fame" in 1988, one of only seven bassists so honoured, and the only electric bass guitarist.
"Jaco at his best defines what the word jazz really means." - Pat Metheny.
"He had that magical thing about him, the same kind of thing Jimi Hendrix had." - Joe Zawinul.
"The best bassist who has ever lived." - Jaco was voted, in the September 2006 issue of Bass Guitar Magazine.
