Jaco Pastorius Archives

Rick Suchow is such a good dude. For years, he’s shared some fantastic videos we otherwise might never have seen. He just dropped another unreleased clip from Weather Report’s 1978 Astor Theater performance, with the band playing “Black Market.”

The folks at the Jaco Pastorius Archive sent us this digitally remastered clip of Jaco Pastorius and his Word of Mouth Big Band performing at the North Sea Jazz Festival on July 10, 1983. It sounds incredible.

Most (if not all) of us have watched Jaco Pastorius’s “Modern Electric Bass” video with Jerry Jemmott. The riff Jaco plays in the opening credits is incredible. Scott Devine breaks it down in this video.

Alex Lofoco returns with a new look at one of Jaco Pastorius’s earliest tunes: “Amelia,” which Jaco performed with Wayne Cochran & The CC Riders. Check out the story and transcription.

We can always count on Rick Suchow to deliver the goods. In honor of Jaco Pastorius’s birthday today, Rick has made available a clip he recorded of Jaco’s quintet performing “Invitation” at Seventh Avenue South in April 1981. The lineup included Michael Brecker and Peter Erskine.

In this episode of “From the Bottom,” Paul Thompson digs into one of his favorite and lesser-known Jaco Pastorius solos. This one focuses on “Midwestern Nights Dream” from Pat Metheny’s 1975 album, “Bright Size Life.”

We can never get enough of Jaco Pastorius. In this isolated bass clip, Jaco plays this classic with a bit of his drumming in the mix. You can really hear that fretless growl!

We can always count on Rick Suchow to unearth some true gems. Here’s one he just shared of Weather Report (with Jaco Pastorius) performing “The Pursuit Of The Woman With The Feathered Hat” in 1978.

Today, Alex Lofoco is paying homage to the legendary Jaco Pastorius and the “Modern Electric Bass” educational video. Check out Alex’s transcription and analysis of Jaco’s “Jam In E”.

The impact of Jaco Pastorius on the bass playing community is still strong, and in 2021, we had some special articles to share featuring him. As a result, Jaco returns to the Reader Favorite Bassists, at the #5 spot.

Seventy years ago today, Jaco Pastorius was born. And today, thanks to Rick Suchow, we have something special to check out: A live recording of “Three Views Of A Secret”, featuring Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, and others.

Here’s a live, rare, and unreleased clip of the Jaco Pastorius Quintet (with Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, and Don Alias) performing “Donna Lee” in 1981. Thanks to Rick Suchow for recording/sharing this one!