Jaco the Early Years

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Portrait of Jaco... the Early Years Guestbook

Just got POJ and it truly is a gem for anyone interested in music, life and Jaco. I couldn't (and can't) stop listening. I understand the comments that the spoken dialogue interferes with the music, but the reality is that it is exactly those comments that I want to hear. When I heard Joe Zawinal share his feelings for Jaco, it was that spirit that I wanted to be a part of.

I never knew Jaco, but from the first "accidental" hearing of him on Black Market, I joined the legions of others who were hooked. My heart goes to Jaco's family and friends. He touched so many of us through his music in that magical and inspirational way.

POJ fills in many gaps about the life of a man who made such a profound impact on the world. Three cheers for POJ.

Joe Karwacki (United States)
Tuesday, October 26, 2004

i would like to see a detailed bio on Jaco on pbs television. so people (and the state of florida) can see what we are missing. and to see what Mr Luc Havan took FROM ALL OF US! Bob did a great job on POJ. Now its time to get cracking on a Bio and Bob your just the man to do the job thanks for your efforts rest in peace Jaco we all love and miss you R Nielsen
	Robert Nielsen (United States) Monday, October 11, 2004

Hi there! I've just received my box from CDbaby, and its the greatest album I've ever heard. Thx you so much for delivering to Jaco french fans a such delightful masterpiece. Holiday Park Rules!!!
	Emmanuel (France) Monday, October 04, 2004

I do not know how it is that I missed out on Jaco's amazing music while growing up. It has only been since my son, Brian, began studying the bass that I was introduced to Jaco's work. He was truly a virtuoso and his love for music certainly lifted to the voice of the bass to almost dizzying heights! Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about Jaco the man through his music!

Sincerely,

Micki Mossbrucker

Micki Mossbrucker (United States)
Monday, September 20, 2004

Jaco will remain the greatest bass player ever. He will continue to inspire all of us even though he is no longer with us. Our prayers go to him and his family. God Bless.
	Malick Traore (United States) Friday, September 10, 2004

"Remembering Jaco"

I want to share with you my personal memories of the late great Jaco Pastorius.

It was Boston 1975. I was a Freshman student at Berklee College of Music, Boston studying Bass and Voice. A friend and fellow bassist Sebastian Steinberg and I learned that Jaco was performing at the then Paul's Mall/Jazz Workshop in Boston. We went and watched Jaco in amazement. When the show was finished we walked over to him and he was so nice to us. He was very happy we were both studying bass and invited us backstage to talk. It was great. We talked about Berklee, playing style, a number of things. It was like talking to a long time friend. Jaco even invited us down to Florida to study with him. He said, "Here's my phone number and in case my number changes here's my mother's number...she'll never move."

A few months go by and I'm with another group of friends at Brandeis University to see Herbie Hancock with special guest Jaco Pastorius. We were sitting about 15 rows back near the middle of the auditorium and Jaco is the first to walk out onto the stage. I wave to him, he sees me and waves back. Would you believe he then proceeds to walk off the stage, down the steps toward me. I couldn't believe it. He walked right up to my seat and said, "Hey man, how's Berklee? We chatted for about another minute or so and he went back onstage, wishing me good luck and telling me to take care.

I was on cloud nine. My friends were shocked. These are my forever memories of Jaco. Kind, thoughtful, attentive, warm and happy.

Looking back now I wish I had taken Jaco up on his offer to teach me but at the time I was doing real well in school and didn't want to leave Berklee.

I keep a momento of my first meeting with Jaco in the form of 4x4 piece of paper with Jaco's signature and two telephone numbers.

We love and miss you,
Rest in peace - Jaco

Candido Bretto (United States)
Thursday, August 26, 2004

Once again Jaco has floored me. He is such an inspiration to so many people, it's unbelievable. Look at how much effort his friends and family will go through to keep his memory alive...unbelievable! There is something different about Jaco, something different than other idols. When you first heard him and started listening to him, you become almost giddy. And every time you show him to someone else there hooked, and that just doesn't happen with just any musical icon. If you look at the likes of Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Pat Matheny even Jimi Hendrix or the Doors. You have to be the right type of person to dig it and really get it. But Jaco's different, if your in a funk mood...he's the man, sentimental mood...hhmm three views of a secret or how about portrait of tracy, or if you wanna be completely blown away....Blackbird;Chromatic Fantasy;Donna Lee, that should do it. I feel honored to be able to play and listen his music, the first time you learn any jaco tune or riff you get a shiver down your back, it still blows me away. But the thing I am really getting excited about is that his popularity is growing again and we all know it, the music stores have more of his stuff, it's very exciting. I am so glad to be part of his following, and will continue to pass on his legacy for the rest of my life. He changed the way I listen to music, the way I write music, but most importantly he changed the way look I at my life. Feel free to email me. Thanks Ben.

Ben Lent (Canada)
Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Portrait of Jaco is simply THE most complete and exquiste time capsule about Jocko/Jaco you can open up, savor, and then close back up for another day and another time. I had the honor of knowing him in grade school and, yes all the rumors about him are true in that time era.

P.O.J. is simply the best! Thanks, Bob, for bringing it to the light of day for all to enjoy again and again.

Sincerely,

Dean Noel-guitarist from "the Sonics"

Dean Noel (United States)
Saturday, July 31, 2004

Jaco gave the bass a new voice thanks
	Trond (Norway) Monday, July 26, 2004

Bob,
I had the pleasure of meeting you recently along with Jaco biographer Bill Milkowski, and as I told you then, POJ is just astounding. Any Jaco fan who might be on the fence about obtaining this incredibly unique anthology should pull the trigger posthaste; this is not some lame collection of ancient, poor quality recordings. It is instead a truly amazing piece of work. Bob's collection of tapes is invaluable as a part of American music history, and the way this labor of love has been crafted makes it a must-hear, must-have for any Jaco aficionado. Kudos, Bob.
Terms like genius, innovator, trail blazer, pioneer,...these superlatives are too often used undeservedly nowadays. But Jaco was every one of them,...the real thing. The world's greatest...
I've read and heard some say Bill's book focused too much on the negative,...but unfortunately the negative overwhelmed Jaco's life towards the end. I only knew him in the early years, when he was a fun, irrepressible kid with a talent that stunned all of us around him in the Ft. Lauderdale music scene. Our paths crossed once in LA in the mid-seventies, and again at a playback party for "Word of Mouth" in the early 80's, but all of my real memories of Jaco are from the "warehouse days" in Oakland Park, and sharing stages with him in South Florida before the rest of the world got a taste.
I sat alone one day with then 'Jocko' in the living room of his Mom's house in Oakland Park when we were both 18 or 19, and I must have been one of the first to hear him begin to develop his incredible rendition of McCartney's "Blackbird", and, frankly, it went right over my head. "Blackbird" as a bass solo?!? Years later I realized that I had witnessed the genesis of his unique creativity.
While I thought Milkowski's book seemed to capture Jaco right on the money, I was pleased to learn that Bill is working on another tome focusing more on the same early days reflected in POJ, and the more positive aspects of this legendary musician's life.
Tracy, I've never met you, but I've known Scott since we were both 9-years old, and trust me, Scott's spiteroo is still, to this day, just as potent as ever. That was a wipe I know Jaco must have loved.
And Bob, congratulations again for creating a timeless piece of work. We are all grateful...

Les Luhring (United States)
Sunday, July 18, 2004

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