Joe Zawinul

An Austrian keyboardist and composer who was a primary architect of jazz fusion. After writing the soul-jazz hit 'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy' for Cannonball Adderley, Zawinul became a key contributor to Miles Davis's early electric experiments on 'In a Silent Way' and 'Bitches Brew.' He then co-founded the legendary fusion band Weather Report, where his pioneering use of synthesizers and his gift for blending jazz with world music and R&B created one of the most popular and innovative sounds of the 1970s.