Jaco's "peak years"

There is a seriously degrading misconception and power tripping regarding Jaco by those who continuously blurt out that only one part of his life was fruitful and productive, and that timeline changes from up to 76 and sometimes up to 79.

Any time I see those references, the apparent disrespect for Jaco's career and life is mind boggling, and disturbing, as well as painful. He was just as productive when he was 8 as he was when he was 28, as well as the time before, during, and after. Jaco deserves to be seen as someone who made his choices as he saw fit throughout his life and career. He has earned to be respected as a whole.

If he were to be alive today, would those who claim he was only productive when they unjustly say he was, willing to look him square in his face and tell him he stopped being at the top of his game in 76 or 79? Obviously those ranting ignorants are saying that creating and producing WOM was a failure, nothing near as good as what he did when he was 17. What's the purpose, or motive?

Though John and Mary, Liberty City, Three Women, City of the Angels might have been an earlier concept, possibly, yet not definitively so, he developed all those tunes after 79. Liberty City was written while he was fixing up our house in 80, often sharing it with Willie, the gentleman who was doing the floors of our newly purchased home.

Good Morning Anya, Three Views, and Theresa were written after those so called 'peak years'.

Let alone the producing and creating of the WOM album with greats Herbie and De Johnette, and let's not forget Crisis, which has been publicly dissed by those who claim Jaco's peak to be prior to 76, referred to as "the early years".

What about those (beautiful list of names) who joined in Jaco's 1981 birthday concert, surely they must have revered Jaco's abilities at that time.

1982 was a glorious year for Jaco (aside from the birth of his twins), taking HIS Big Band to Japan, documented by Twins One & Twins Two, and Invitation, a top notch album. At the same time Jaco was an active member of Weather Report through 1982. The following year looked to be a very productive year for Jaco; he loved the sound of the steel drums, and so began to realize the "Holiday for Pans" project. Unfortunately those industry folks who supposedly made a serious commitment to Jaco to support his artistry, did not follow through, resulting in an unfinished and unrealized master piece, yet ironically knocked down doors to get at the recordings of Jaco's 1981 birthday celebration.

In 1985 Jaco opened a huge door for bass players worldwide, by selflessly creating the instructional video, "Modern Electric Bass", as well as along with longtime friends, electric guitarist Hiram Bullock and drummer Kenwood Dennard, formed the formidable power trio, an exciting new direction for Jaco & Co..

It was in 1986 when Jaco accepted an offer from French guitarist Bireli Lagrene to tour Europe. All this, just a fraction of the energy he was putting out. For those who were there during this period of Jaco's career it was exciting, it was "the scene", though those that were not even in close proximity, are today's critics with a distorted portrait of Jaco.

I am hereby making my stance regarding the ridiculous, and ugly notion that Jaco's career was basically over by 1979. Those who continuously make that disharmonious noise by repeating it over and over again, are not individuals who care about Jaco, or his music. They are simply jealous, arrogant, and full of it.

He was a man who loved all his children, loved to create, and those hip enough to understand what he had to offer. He was not one to take...he gave, and never stopped giving. He is not here today, yet he is still giving pleasure to all those who love his music, continuing to be an inspiration to many, big time!!! Through his music he continues to provide for his children. He is not for those who judge him to judge, he is to be admired for all his wonderful accomplishments, throughout his complete life time, and for those who don't, please change the station. He deserves whatever credit is given him, one thing that he doesn't deserve is to be discredited, especially by anyone who simultaneously claims to uphold his legacy.

I realize most are fully aware of those above mentioned achievements, so this is merely a reminder for those who keep shooting off claiming his productive years were limited to a small time period.

Furthermore, legacies do not need to be upheld, they are based on one man's accomplishments, and are in constant perpetual motion. As a matter of fact Jaco's style of playing and compositional skills has been influencing countless musicians the World-over for over 2 1/2 decades. His life was not tragic, it was filled with joy and creativity. At one moment in his life he met tragedy, by the hand of another, that being the day that ended his career. He had a strong mind and body, and never stopped working. For those who truly knew Jaco Pastorius, you know he had no time for BS, and he who BSes about Jaco, is far from knowing the man. He lived from 1951-1987, and I strongly oppose any portion, even a day, of that life being discounted.

In my opinion.

GBJ {God Bless Jaco}

This open letter was initially posted on the Message Board.

B A C K