RITTOR-MUSIC, JAPAN INTERVIEWS INGRID FOR BASS MAGAZINE JULY 2003



1. On the top page of your Cyber Nest website you mentioned when you married Jaco and when Julius and Felix were born. Could you elaborate on the time and the circumstances you met Jaco a little more?

A. It was '77, we both lived in Fort Lauderdale, knew the same friends, and music was the common denominator. We had seen each other at certain events, concerts, clubs, and parties.

2. Although Jaco's music and sound would tell that he is a man of charm, but what parts of his music and personality were most attractive to you?

A. Regarding his personality it was his natural presence, his directness, the eye contact, and no hype. Regarding his music it was his passion, colors, and genuine generosity.

3. I could tell how much he loved his children just from the fact that he wrote a song called 'John & Mary' for his "Word of Mouth" album and titled the live-album of his big band "Twins". But what kind of father was he actually towards his children? Were there any mottoes in regard to raising them?

A. Jaco was all about fun, yet fatherly strict, taught his kids to do yard work at an early age, told them to eat their vegetables, preferred staying home, and cook, loved playing music with them, always encouraging John and Mary to play and sing. He was a fun active father who liked being outdoors with his kids, either play ball, beach, in the yard, or in trees. He loved being daddy, one of his most important needs.

4. Do you think that Jaco would want his children to pursue careers as musicians or any kind of artists or he would rather be worried about that?

A. Because I must guess at this point how Jaco would feel about that, based on how I perceive Jaco's views then, I think he would be both; encouraging to pursue what they love, but concerned because by his own experiences those you work with in the music business do not always play fair, and have been known to squash an individual's spirit.

5. How do you feel about their decision of pursuing musical careers?

A. Since both my sons were schooled by me at home, at age seven they started lessons in piano and guitar. From early on I have made instruments available to them. Music is our life, they enjoy playing, and such a beautiful way to spend your time wisely. Right now they are having fun with it.

6. I suppose that both Felix and Julius are now well aware of their father's life and good sides and bad sides of lives of musicians. What made them nevertheless to choose the way to be artists?

A. I chose to give Julius and Felix music, arts, and sports to be the main pastimes in their lives. I believe that learning music is a required 'language', as well as a tool to learn about life in general, while doing something productive and creative, a must for all children in my opinion. They choose to be artists at this time because it comes naturally, they are born with talent, and enjoy the act of playing. Music is an important aspect of our home life.

7. How did Felix and Julius choose their main instruments (or share their musical roles)?

A. They both started to take lessons in piano at age 7, shortly thereafter Julius switched to guitar, while Felix continued piano. The living room has drums set up for them, as well as amps, guitars, and basses. By the time they reached their teens, they had naturally gravitated to playing bass and drums in which they are self-taught.

8. How do Felix and Julius see Jaco as their father and as a talented artist?

A. They love, respect, and miss him, yet are fortunate to learn from him as his legacy grows.

9. Are Mary and John currently involved with music in any sort of way?

A. Both Mary and John are talented. Mary has her band Locura, and a CD out. John sits in playing the drums sometimes, but hasn't made it his career.

10. it's very nice to know that Felix, Julius, John and Mary are working together for maintaining Jaco's legacy. How are you all getting along with Tracy?

A. The twins and I do not see Tracy often, she has recently moved out of the state. I am sure John and Mary see their mother as often as possible.

11. Getting back to Jaco, did he have any hobby? Were there any of his favorite movies, books or any kind of works that might have been influential to his later works?

A. His hobbies were basketball, baseball, running, climbing, swimming, beach, juggling, yard-work, motorcycles, camping, reading, sauna, jokes, fixing things...I might be forgetting a few. What influenced Jaco most was his constant awareness of where he drew inspiration from, and by living life energetically. He often tested the universe, while the universe tested him, therefore always in touch with power, as well as being vulnerable.

12. Could you share some of your most beautiful memories of Jaco?

A. The many adventures in nature in different countries, as well as being home living tropical, listening to him practice bass, play piano and compose, reading together, playing basketball, lots of swimming, and of course having his children..... being with Jaco felt vibrant, alive.

13. I love Jaco's "Word of Mouth" album but it seems mysterious to me in several ways. (Like the way he recorded the track 'Crisis'--he recorded the soloists separately and almost without having them monitoring each others' performances--or the sounds of the assorted instruments he put on the title track) Did you actually witness the recording sessions of this album? And if you did, how was Jaco from your point of view? Did he seem simply to enjoy the recording process or did he look like he was urged by something?

A. Most of Word Of Mouth was recorded in our home. Crisis was an important tune to him for many obvious reasons. During recording and producing Jaco was calm, and in control, took intelligent charge when needed, inspired musicians to perform their best, always encouraging, knew what he wanted, and then made it happen... his mind was always active, and creative during the process. He loved the challenge of doing it as best as he could. No, he didn't look urged, as a matter of fact, he was fully in tune with time and timing.

14. Same question as above in regard to the next album which was to be released as "Holiday for Pans".

A. Yes, I witnessed some of the rehearsals, and the recordings. This project was very important to him. Sadly it has fallen prey to thievery.

15. I'm afraid that this would be a hard question but, in retrospect, had you felt any sign of his manic depression before he was diagnosed as such right after the big bandfs tour in Japan? Did he actually tell you that he was suffering from the pressure because he had to maintain his status as the world's greatest bass player?

A. I didn't know about manic depression until he was diagnosed. Before that I was aware of a mental anguish, but it was difficult to understand what was going on. I do not know whether he suffered from having to maintain a status, I personally don't believe so, but I felt he was hurt by the judgmental expectations, and demands on him and his art by many in business who wanted to 'own' him.

16. How would you feel when you listen to Jaco's performances on the albums that are posthumously released? Most of these performances are from the period you were married to him, I suppose.

A. If you are speaking of any releases from '84, '85, and '86 then it was after we separated. Regardless, some of the releases, many originating in Japan, and Europe, I see as a blatant attempt to misuse, rob, and misrepresent Jaco. There are some from that period that I love, and are important for the archives of Jaco's work. Other than that, whatever, and however Jaco performed was his prerogative, and I stand behind all of his performances.

17. I suppose there have been a lot of struggle before your family get to start the JacoPastorius.Com and Cyber Nest websites. Could you summarize your activities in regard to maintaining Jaco's legacy?

A. The Jaco Cyber Nest is simply my fun, loving, and humble offering to Jaco's legacy, and to those who respect him.

18. Who is (are) currently administrating the copyrights of Jaco's music and recorded materials?

A. Felix, Julius, John, and Mary all own a share of their father's music, recordings, copyrights, name and likeness. They formed Jaco Pastorius Inc. to administer those rights.

19. Do you or Felix & Julius have any future plan of expanding your activities relating to Jaco?

A. Speaking for myself, I will continue to maintain the Cyber Nest by regularly giving those who care as much information related to Jaco as possible.

20. Could you give some messages to the readers of the Bass Magazine? Many of them are Jaco's fans and some of them are Jaco-freaks!

A. Thank you all for recognizing Jaco as an important part of your lives, learn from him, take the gift he left, do something beautiful and positive with it and know that Jaco played his heart out for you. He would want you to stay true to yourself, to follow your dream, and to not be afraid. Peace, and be well.

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