Jaco Pastorius

A revolutionary bassist who single-handedly redefined the role of the instrument in modern music. With his astounding virtuosity, singing fretless tone, and deep understanding of harmony, Jaco liberated the electric bass from its supportive role and turned it into a powerful lead voice. His 1976 debut album was a landmark, and his subsequent work with the fusion group Weather Report brought him international fame. His influence is felt across virtually every genre of music.