Jaco: The Extraordinary and the Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius, "the World's Greatest Bass Player" [Hardcover]

Bill Milkowski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1995

Jaco takes an in-depth look at this talented but tormented genius. Readers follow Pastorius's development as a bassist, watch him catapult to international fame with Weather Report, learn about the formation of his own well-received band, and witness his eventual downfall. Photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Certain innovative jazz musicians end up in thrall to their mystical music. Achieving the altered state playing such music, especially in front of an audience, becomes an obsession, often drugfueled and destructive. Saxophonist Charlie Parker was of that ilk, as was the revolutionary bass player Jaco Pastorius, whose immense talent was tragically subsumed by mental illness. Prolific music writer Milkowski, who knew Pastorius during his most aberrant and hopeless phase, chronicles Jaco's walk across the tightrope between genius and madness with respect and sorrow. Pastorius personified fusion, squeezing more music out of an electric bass than anyone believed possible with his long fingers and double-jointed thumbs. And he had a high-energy, high-impact stage style that galvanized his fans. Milkowski thoroughly chronicles Pastorius' rapid rise and triumphant stint with Weather Report, as well as his terrible decline and tragic, violent death just weeks shy of his thirty-sixth birthday in 1987. His well-illustrated book will preserve Pastorius' memory and remind people to listen to his incredibly funky punk jazz. Donna Seaman

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (May 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879303611
• ISBN-13: 978-0879303617
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,196,783 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jaco was my hero, December 15, 1999

By 

paul conrad (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jaco: The Extraordinary and the Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius, "the World's Greatest Bass Player" (Hardcover)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Can't Put it Down, February 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Jaco: The Extraordinary and the Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius, "the World's Greatest Bass Player" (Hardcover)

Jaco was a genius trapped on this planet! He inspired me to keep going even though his talent may never be reached by a common man. Sad and Amazing!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jaco will always be "The Greatest"!, June 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Jaco: The Extraordinary and the Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius, "the World's Greatest Bass Player" (Hardcover)

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.