Sun, 25 May 2014

Jaco Pastorius Documentary Film


"Before Jaco, bass didn't know what it was yet." - Bootsy Collins (Bass Player, James Brown Band)

Music aficionados all over the world are getting more and more excited as the release of the documentary about jazz legend Jaco Pastorius nears. Set to premiere on November this year, the much anticipated film has steadily been garnering attention worldwide what with all the names it had been attracting since talk first started in 2012.

Directed by Stephen Kijak and Paul Marchand, and produced by Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo along with John Battsek, "Jaco" was recently hailed as Official Film of Record Store Day 2014, last April 19.


Modern American Music ... Period!


As the official film of the unique musical holiday, Omnivore Recordings released "Modern American Music . . . Period! The Criteria Sessions," a collection of unissued demo sessions by Pastorius from 1974.

Produced in partnership with the Pastorius estate and (again) Trujillo, the release contains 11 tracks recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami during jam sessions led by Pastorius when he was 24 years old. The CD and LP also feature never-before-seen photos from family's archives, and essays from Trujillo and Bill Milkowski, Pastorius' official biographer.


Robert Trujillo - Jaco Was My Hero Growing Up


According to Jaco's daughter, Mary Pastorius, "Once I allowed the memories associated with records to come in, it was like opening the proverbial floodgates - especially so when I started looking through my own records, having a visceral sensory overload experience with every one. Them records is powerful stuff!"

When asked by USA Today's Marco R. della Cava about his motivations behind producing the film, Trujillo admits to having been an avid fan of Jaco's music. "Jaco was my hero growing up. Hearing him was like hearing Eddie Van Halen doing 'Eruption' for the first time: You thought, 'What instrument is that?' ... Jaco had an edge that far exceeded his jazz persona. He was funk. He was rock. He was soul. And his whole attitude was punk." Pastorius redefined the meaning of entertainment with this showmanship.


Jaco Pastorius Revolutionized The Role Of Bass Guitar

In honor of Pastorius, Trujillo has also invited several other musicians to talk about the legend and their experiences with him on the film. Music icons such as Sting, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Joni Mitchell, Randy Brecker and Carlo Santana will feature commentaries.

Widely renowned as a contemporary visionary, Jaco Pastorius revolutionized the role of bass guitar in modern music. Despite his lack of formal musical training, Pastorius broke down barriers; breaking into the entertainment scene with his work on Pat Metheny's recording debut in 1974, until finally becoming the front man of Weather Report alongside saxophonist Wayne Shorter.


Jaco - The greatest Bass Player In The World

Pastorius' spirit was one that was unbreakable. Josef Zawinul, keyboardist of Weather Report, recounts the story of meeting Jaco for the first time - with Pastorius introducing himself as the greatest bass player in the world.

Hailed by critics as the "future of modern music," Pastorius transcended musical genres. In one his most popular quotes, the man goes on to say, "I don't play fusion. I play modern American music. PERIOD."

Almost three decades after his violent death, people once again commemorate his memory with the film.

JACO THE MOVIE IS NOW IN YOUR STORE.




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