Bryan J. Howard Newsblog

Twenty years ago today, the world lost one of the greatest musicians that ever lived, John Francis Anthony Pastorius. Most serious musicians would know him simply as "Jaco". Jaco changed the perception of the electric bass. He took the bass from a background rhythmic instrument to the forefront and showed the potential for melody and chordal playing that had not been seen prior. If you are a bass player you certainly have heard the name. You may have even de-fretted your Fender Jazz Bass and slapped on some Rotosound RoundWound strings in an attempt to recreate that "Jaco" sound. Often emulated but never duplicated Jaco changed the way the world looks at the electric bass. This is why he is the subject of legend and mythology in the musical world. He may not have invented every technique he used but he wove them together in a way that had NEVER been heard before.
It is a shame that his life was cut so short so tragically but today, let us appreciate a light that was snuffed out too early but burned as brightly as it did! So I hope you will check out these videos and think of the greatest bass player who ever lived, The one and only Jaco Pastorius.

For more information on Jaco Pastorius:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaco_Pastorius