Jaco

Directors Paul Marchand and Stephan Kijak join forces for this stirring portrait of renowned bassist Jaco Pastorius (1951-1987), who grew up in Florida surrounded by music since his father, Jack, was a nightclub singer. Jaco played the drums before turning to the bass, which proved a perfect fit. Soul singer Wayne Cochran praises Jaco's ability to play anything thrown at him. Jaco's brother, Gregory, recalls that the birth of Jaco's daughter, Mary, inspired him to aim higher than session work. Sting believes that Jaco transformed bass playing into something symphonic, while Herbie Hancock marvels at Jaco's ability to invest his playing with personality. Mary says that her father heard music in everything, concluding, “It's a gift and it's a burden.” A chance meeting with Bobby Colomby of Blood, Sweat, & Tears led to a deal with Epic and Jaco's first solo album in 1976. Jaco could have continued down the solo path, but instead he joined Weather Report, which helped to unite rock and jazz fans, inspiring bassists such as Flea and Metallica's Robert Trujillo (the latter produced this documentary). Cocky and competitive, Jaco enjoyed a fractious relationship with Weather Report founder Joe Zawinul, but Joni Mitchell and other collaborators noticed that his behavior was becoming downright erratic in the late 1970s as mental illness and substance abuse issues surfaced. There were other problems, as well, which makes Jaco increasingly hard to watch, but Marchand and Kijak avoid melodrama for a more matter-of-fact approach. Juan Alderete of the Mars Volta speaks for many bassists when he states: “He was our Hendrix.” Extras include bonus interviews. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)