Jaco: The Extraordinary and Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius

by Bill Milkowski

Book Overview

A fitting tribute to the troubled genius who revolutionized electric bass playing and bridged the gaps between jazz, R&B, rock and funk. From his early days in R&B club bands through his international... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 087930426X
• ISBN13: 9780879304263
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Backbeat Books
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Heartbreaking

Mr. Milkowski did a marvelous job of telling the story of "The World's Greatest Bass Player". It made me sad to read, though. I gave this review the title "Heartbreaking" because I knew Jaco. We were not close freinds, but I used to run into him often; we both lived in New York City. Now, everyone who lived in NYC at the time had a "Jaco Story"; some outrageous anecdote of his antics. But I'd like to share something a bit different. One night Jaco and I were hanging out in the Village. He and I were talking, mostly about music. But in the midst of the conversation, he told me "You know, I tell people that I like to party and take chances; but the truth is I wish I could give up drinking and drugs. But I don't know how". I didn't know what to tell him, and I don't remember how I replied; nor can I say what prompted him to say this to me. Four years later he left town and never returned. Despite his demons and his sickness; in addition to Jaco being an astonishing musician, he was, when he was "himself", a really nice and likeable guy.

Finally-- somebody said it!

Jaco was the greatest bass player the world has ever known. I met him when I got to NYU; he gave a friend bass lessions in the mid 1980's; we listen to him in the park between classes whenever he was plugged in; he played basketball in the neighborhood, and made collect calls to Paul Butterfield from the Red Lion to goof on him. He was the certainly the candle that burned brightest downtown. And when he jammed in at the Lone Star when it was on 5th avenue, it would burn your hair off! The guy would jump from table to table with a wireless, fretless bass running riffs that were just the most remarkable thing you could ever hear (check him out on Joni Mitchel's Live album with Pat Metheney and M. Brecker). He also got caught up in hard drugs, and it was sad to watch him around Washington Square between classes, as he was falling apart. And when my neighbor, a bar back at the Hard Rock at the time, came home to tell me who his new bass teacher was, I almost fell down. He'd use the small change to get fixed. When he died, we were sick all day. I am so glad this book was written, and with that title because it is certainly true. And I am the frustrated musician who would know! RIP Jaco-- GREAT Title!

Jaco was my hero

I couldn't believe it when I finally found a book about Jaco. Where have I been? I was thinking of writing my master's thesis about Jaco a couple of years ago. But how could I top this book. What a great read. I read it in 2 days. I couldn't put it down. Of course when you love someone's music, and are amazed and saddened by someone's life like Jaco's, it's not hard completely diving into the book and not coming up for air. I wish someone would option this book for a movie. It's a great, yet tragic tale.

Jaco will always be "The Greatest"!

I picked up this book out of curiousity after buying Jaco's solo album. I heard of him and I wanted to read about him. This book has changed my views on the music industry and performing and has ultimately made me a better musician. Jaco single handedly revolutionaized the electric bass to unimaginable proportions. No bass player should ever go without a Jaco album and no musician should go without reading this book. Informative, tragic and educational. I love this book and have have read it through four times. Jaco and his music will live in my heart forever.

"Jaco" is true to form.

Jaco, "The World's Greatest Bass Player" is true to form. As a bass player I could hardly wait to see and hear him at a local club here in Rochester, New York. To my disappointment his behavior was exactly as described in the many examples Bill Milkowski mentions in his book. A packed house left demanding a return of their cover charge. Jaco, although attempting to play a keyboard, a drum set and his bass could not in fact play a note of sense on any one. Oh, one thing I did get from the experience, a high five from Jaco as he circled the bar with his long hair drenched in water, an attempt to sober himself. Thanks Bill for a larger than life look at an extradinary musician. I highly recommend this book to all musicians and teachers of young students.