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John Francis Anthony "Jaco" Pastorius III (December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987) was an American jazz musician and composer widely acknowledged for his skills as an electric bass player.
His playing style was noteworthy for containing intricate solos in the higher register. His innovations also included the use of harmonics and the "singing" quality of his melodies on fretless bass. Pastorius suffered from mental illness and substance abuse, and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1982. He died in 1987 at age 35 following a violent altercation at a Fort Lauderdale drinking establishment.
Jaco was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1988, one of only four bassists to be so honored. He is regarded as one of the most influential bass players of all time.
Early life and educationJohn Francis Pastorius III was born December 1, 1951 in Norristown, Pennsylvania[Jaco Pastorius official website] to Jack Pastorius (big band singer/drummer) and Stephanie Katherine Haapala Pastorius, the first of their three children. Jaco was of Finnish, German, Swedish and Irish ancestry.
Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Oakland Park, Florida (near Fort Lauderdale). Pastorius went to elementary and middle school at St. Clement's Catholic School in Wilton Manors, and he was an altar boy at the adjoining church. In his years at St. Clement's, the art he was most known for was drawing.Citation needed
Pastorius formed his first band named The Sonics along with John Caputo and Dean Noel
. He went to high school at Northeast High in Oakland Park.[Milkowski, 2005] He was a talented athlete with skills in football, basketball, and baseball, and he picked up music at an early age. He took the name "Anthony" at his confirmation.
He loved basketball and often watched it with his father. Pastorius' nickname was influenced by his love of sports and also by the umpire Jocko Conlan.
Music careerPastorius in his early years
Photo: Jean-Luc Ourlin
Jaco started out on drums, following in the footsteps of his father Jack.[
]Copyright Citations
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