Jaco Pastorius was born 71 years ago today.
Pastorius was an influential American jazz musician, composer, big band leader and electric bass player. He is best known for his work with Weather Report from 1976 to 1981, as well as work with artists including Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny and his own solo projects.
As a musician, he developed a highly influential approach to bass playing that combined a deep understanding of advanced harmony with ferocious technical prowess. His signature approach infused Latin-influenced 16th-note funk, lyrical soloing on fretless bass, bass chords and innovative use of harmonics.
Pastorius was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1988, one of only seven bassists so honored (and the only electric bass guitarist).
In his early career, Pastorius had avoided alcohol and drugs, but with Weather Report he increasingly used alcohol and other drugs, the abuse of which exacerbated his mental issues, leading to increasingly erratic and sometimes anti-social behavior. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in late 1982 following the Word of Mouth tour of Japan, during which his erratic behavior had become an increasing source of concern for fellow band members.
By 1986, Pastorius' health had further deteriorated and he began living on the streets after being evicted from his New York apartment. In July, 1986, following intervention by his then ex-wife, Ingrid, with the help of his brother, Gregory, he was admitted to Bellevue Hospital in New York, where he was prescribed carbamazepine in preference to lithium.
He moved back to Fort Lauderdale in December of that year, and again lived on the streets for weeks at a time. After sneaking onstage at a Carlos Santana concert on September 11, 1987 and being ejected from the premises, Pastorius made his way to the Midnight Bottle Club in Wilton Manors, Florida.
After reportedly kicking in a glass door, having been refused entrance to the club, he was engaged in a violent confrontation with the club bouncer, Luc Havan. Pastorius was hospitalized for multiple facial fractures and injuries to his right eye and left arm and fell into a coma.
Initially, there were encouraging signs that he would come out of the coma and recover, but they soon faded. A massive brain hemorrhage a few days later led to brain death.
Pastorius died on September 21, 1987 at 35 at Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale. In the wake of Pastorius' death, Havan was charged with second degree murder but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Because he had no prior convictions, and recognizing time served while waiting for the verdict, the court sentenced him to 22 months in prison and five years' probation. After four months in prison, he was paroled for good behavior.
Here, Pastorius performs at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 1982