Jaco Pastorius<\/b><\/a> was. Certainly among musicians, his is a name that’s revered: even if you’re not into jazz per se, if you’re a player, you know that Jaco was something special, the sort of person who comes along once in a lifetime \u2013 if that often \u2013 and redefines an instrument.<\/p>\nIf you do know him, it’s likely that this is true: even if you don’t much care for the kind of music he made, you respect his artistry. It’s pretty clear from what we know that he was, shall we say, difficult. But his recorded legacy is undeniable.<\/p>\n
A new documentary film traces his life. Jaco<\/i>, produced by Metallica<\/b>(!) bassist Robert Trujillo<\/b>, is a meditative look at the life and career of the acclaimed bassist. Part family home movies, part on-screen commentary from those who knew him (Wayne Shorter<\/b>, Joni Mitchell<\/b>), part commentary from those who revered him (Flea<\/b>, Bootsy Collins<\/b>, but thankfully no Bono<\/b> nor Dave Grohl<\/b>), and part atmospheric, mostly silent footage of things like softly swaying palm fronds and oceanic waves, Jaco<\/i> is a contemplative, decidedly melancholy and somber take on the life of Pastorius.<\/p>\n
And honesty wouldn’t have it any other way. His life was tragically cut short \u2013 accounts differ on the details \u2013 but his was a life that (as least as chronicled in the film) was never meant to last long. The film is a love letter to his memory, but it doesn’t shy away from the difficulties he experienced, and those he exerted upon others. Eventually, those watching the documentary learn that he suffered from a bipolar disorder, and it’s strongly suggested that near the end \u2013 by which time he was homeless, living in a park \u2013 that he had something of a death wish. But Jaco<\/em> does a fine job of presenting his story without resorting to hagiography, or sinking to the level of scandal-mongering.<\/p>\n\u201cAll of us stand on Jaco’s shoulders,\u201d says Sting<\/b>. \u201cYou needed Jaco to get to this point.\u201d Trujillo \u2013 who saw him live onstage four times \u2013 says \u201cJaco was punk rock.\u201d \u201cWhatever the genre can take, the genre can take. Stretch it; pull it,\u201d says Geddy Lee<\/b>. Put simply, those in a position to know, know that Jaco Pastorius was one of the greats. And this film does an admirable job of reminding us of that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs there anything close to him on the bass?\u201d asks Flea. He answers his own question. \u201cNot to me, man.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"jaco\"](\"http:\/\/blog.musoscribe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/jaco.jpg\")
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