Image by Pino Alpino, via WikiÂmeÂdia ComÂmons
Of this video—an hour and a half long bass lesÂson and interÂview with the late, great jazz bassist Jaco PasÂtoÂrius—one youtube comÂmenter writes, “this isn’t a bass lesÂson… this is a bass humilÂiÂaÂtion!” It’s an apt description—for the aspirÂing playÂer of any instruÂment, watchÂing PasÂtoÂrius at work is a humÂbling expeÂriÂence. Even JerÂry JemÂmott, no slouch on the instruÂment, seems a litÂtle overÂwhelmed as he interÂviews Jaco. But the articulate—and perÂsonÂalÂly troubled—bassist was a humÂble guy, more than willÂing to share his skills and knowlÂedge. As a playÂer, comÂposÂer, and proÂducÂer, PasÂtoÂrius towÂered over othÂer proÂgresÂsive jazz playÂers in the 70s and 80s, accomÂpaÂnyÂing names like Pat MetheÂny and Wayne ShortÂer. He was also a memÂber of fusion powÂerÂhouse WeathÂer Report, a solo artist, and one of the most in-demand sesÂsion playÂers and proÂducÂers of his time.
While bass playÂers get too litÂtle recogÂniÂtion in rock, in jazz, the instruÂment has always comÂmandÂed a degree of respect. But PasÂtoÂrius took elecÂtric jazz bass to a place that belongs entireÂly to him, playÂing bass and melody parts at once on the instruÂment and incorÂpoÂratÂing mind-blowÂingÂly nimÂble solos and high runs into origÂiÂnal comÂpoÂsiÂtions and stanÂdards alike. I came to PasÂtoÂrius late in my musiÂcal eduÂcaÂtion thanks to his influÂence on EngÂlish bassist and elecÂtronÂic proÂducÂer SquareÂpushÂer (Tom JenkÂinÂson), who, since the mid-nineties, has fused his own freÂnetÂic PasÂtoÂrius-like bass licks with the stutÂter and clatÂter of drum-and-bass. In 2009, SquareÂpushÂer had the effronÂtery to release a live solo album conÂsistÂing only of elecÂtric bass comÂpoÂsiÂtions, a move that would have been imposÂsiÂble withÂout PasÂtoÂrius’ preceÂdent-setÂting solo work. PasÂtoÂrius turned the elecÂtric bass into a lead instruÂment. His first solo album, the self-titled Jaco PasÂtoÂrius (1976), broke ground with origÂiÂnal comÂpoÂsiÂtions for bass guiÂtar and bass tranÂscripÂtions of songs like CharÂlie Parker’s “DonÂna Lee.” At that time, no one had heard anyÂthing like it.
PasÂtoÂrius, who sufÂfered from bipoÂlar disÂorÂder, died of wounds susÂtained in a bar fight on SepÂtemÂber 21st, 1987. In honÂor of the 25th anniverÂsary of his death, revisÂit the man and his method in the video above, and geek out to Jaco’s live perÂforÂmance at the 1982 MonÂtreÂal Jazz FesÂtiÂval.
Josh Jones is a docÂtorÂal canÂdiÂdate in EngÂlish at FordÂham UniÂverÂsiÂty and a co-founder and forÂmer manÂagÂing ediÂtor of GuerÂniÂca / A MagÂaÂzine of Arts and PolÂiÂtics.