"Jaco Pastorius" is a self-titled debut solo album by jazz bassist and composer Jaco Pastorius. Released in 1976, the album contains a series of various styles of music, showcasing Pastorius's skill on the electric bass. It includes original compositions, such as "Come On, Come Over" and "Portrait of Tracy," along with his own jazz fusion arrangements of contemporaneous pop songs.
Jaco Pastorius, born in 1951 in Pennsylvania, is renowned for his work as a jazz musician, particularly with the bass guitar. His innovative approach has wildly influenced the jazz world. He is best known for his work with the fusion band Weather Report from 1976 to 1981. Unfortunately, his career was plagued by substance abuse problems, and he died in 1987 at the relatively young age of 35.
On this album, Pastorius picked up a wide array of collaborating artists, including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, David Sanborn, Lenny White, and others. His approach was to use the bass as a lead instrument, and as a result, his playing shifted the conventionally accepted role of the bass in ensemble performances.
"Jaco Pastorius" is widely regarded as one of the finest bass albums ever recorded. It symbolizes a turning point in jazz history where the style and role of instruments started to drastically shift. The album remains an important part of Pastorius's musical legacy.
