1976 · Album
Jaco Pastorius
Recorded 1975–1976 · Epic Records · Produced by Bobby Colomby
The Bass Player Who Reinvented the Instrument
Jaco Pastorius announced himself to the world on this debut and nothing in jazz bass was ever quite the same.
There are debut albums that introduce a competent musician, and then there are debut albums that make you stop what you're doing and pay attention. Jaco Pastorius's self-titled debut, released in 1976 on Epic Records, falls firmly in the second category. Pastorius had already been making waves in the Miami music scene and had recently joined Weather Report, but this solo record was his formal introduction to a wider audience — and it made a case, loudly and clearly, that the electric bass guitar could be a serious solo instrument rather than just a rhythmic support player. The fretless bass tone he coaxed out of his modified Jazz Bass was unlike anything most listeners had heard: warm, vocal, almost cello-like, but also capable of sudden precision and speed.
The album opens with "Donna Lee" — a bebop head often credited to Charlie Parker but widely believed to have been composed by Miles Davis, played unaccompanied on electric bass at full speed. It's a statement of intent: no rhythm section, no support, just Pastorius alone showing that the instrument could handle material written for horn players. Most bass players wouldn't attempt it. He makes it sound almost casual.
"Portrait of Tracy" is the other track to seek out immediately, and it sounds like nothing else on the record. It's a solo bass piece built almost entirely on natural harmonics — by lightly touching the string at specific points rather than fretting normally, Pastorius produced bell-like tones that sounded more like a glass harmonica or a church organ than a bass guitar. The piece lasts just over two minutes and is essentially a tone poem. If you want to understand what made him different from every other bassist of his generation, start here.
The rest of the album moves between funk, straight jazz, and orchestral pieces featuring Herbie Hancock, Hubert Laws, and Don Alias, among others. It holds together because Pastorius's personality is strong enough to anchor material that could easily feel scattered. This is a debut album that knew exactly what it wanted to say.
Who's playing
Jaco Pastoriuselectric bass guitar
Peter Gravesbass trombone
Herbie Hancockclarinet, electric piano, Rhodes piano
Alex Darquielectric piano, Rhodes piano
Michael Breckertenor saxophone
Howard Johnsonbaritone saxophone
David Sanbornalto saxophone
Wayne Shortersoprano saxophone
Randy Breckertrumpet
Ron Tooleytrumpet
Lenny Whitedrums
Bobby Economoudrums
Don Aliascongas
Julien Barberviola
Selwart Clarkeviola
Harry Cykmanviolin
Paul Gershmanviolin
Harold Kohonviolin
Beverly Lauridsencello
Harry Lookofskyviolin
Joe Malinviolin
Charles McCrackencello
Kermit Moorecello
David Nadienviolin
Emanuel Vardiviola
Othello Molineauxsteelpan
Leroy Williamssteelpan
Where next?
More by Jaco Pastorius
All 11 albums →
The musicians on this record
Head Hunters 1973
Herbie Hancock
plays clarinet here
plays clarinet here
The Soothsayer 1979
Wayne Shorter
plays soprano saxophone here
plays soprano saxophone here
Pilgrimage 2007
Michael Brecker
plays tenor saxophone here
plays tenor saxophone here
Taking Off 1975
David Sanborn
plays alto saxophone here
plays alto saxophone here
