This cat replaced Paul Jackson in Herbie’s Headhunters! He stands among the instrument’s true giants, yet his name is known mostly to serious bassists and liner notes aficionados.

As a teenage member of the Oakland Youth Symphony Orchestra, “Ready” Freddie Washington heard Jamerson, Rainey, Babbitt, and Larry Graham and chose his life’s profession.

A solo recording artist, composer, “Star Licks” star, A-list session player and sideman – Freddie’s “Forget Me Nots” slap passage is among the most recognizable bass motifs ever waxed : http://bit.ly/1LJ9hXh

Washington’s discography reads as a history of modern popular music – including seminal sides and stages with Michael Jackson, Al Jarreau, Stevie Wonder, Patrice Rushen, Elton John, Whitney Houston, Donald Fagan and Steely Dan, Billy Preston, George Benson, Kenny Loggins, Aaron Neville, Anita Baker, B.B. King, and Diana Ross, just to cite a scant few.

Dig “Freddie’s Groove” from In the Moment https://youtu.be/gaAXWBWlgg0

Kick back and watch Freddie with Steely Dan https://youtu.be/Ixn1nqetPBk

 

By Thomas Semioli

 

“I’m not a star. I’ll never be a Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley or a Ray Charles. I’m just an imitator, man. I’m doing a very bad imitation on the bass of Jerry Jemmott, Bernard Odum, Jim Fielder, Jimmy Blanton, Igor Stravinsky, Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, James Brown, Charlie Parker… the cats, man. I’m just backing up the cats…” Jaco Pastorius

 

You can divide the history of the bass into two categories: Before Jaco. After Jaco. As a student at the University of Miami in the late 1970s – a time when the electric bass was not considered a legitimate instrument by the jazz establishment (aka “the jazz police”), in the many instances when we were confronted by such ignorance –  we simple responded to the misbegotten taunts with one word, one name: Jaco!  

 

Jaco’s influence is, in a word, incalculable. Drawing on his deep reference for Cuban music (especially percussionists), jazz, rhythm & blues, Frank Sinatra, big-band, funk, rock, pop, soul, and every permutation thereof, Jaco brought an exciting, fresh voice to the instrument akin to his artistic peers Jimi Hendrix and Charlie Parker, to reference two.

 

On the technical side, Jaco’s virtuoso application of harmonics, chords, advanced harmonies, and lyrical improvisations all coaxed from a battered fretless Fender Jazz – known as the “Bass of Doom,” shook the foundation of popular music. His unique tone shattered the long-held tenets of what a bass should sound like. The full possibilities of the electric bass which Jaco pioneered are still being explored today by players of all generations. On stage, he was a master showman.

 

Jaco’s work with Weather Report, Joni Mitchell, Ian Hunter, and as a solo artist and collaborator  remains watershed, and continues to inspire scores of players.   

 

Kudos to film makers Paul Marchand, Stephen Kijak and Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo for telling Jaco’s story with the grace, dignity, and respect he so richly deserves: Jaco  – Passion Pictures / 2014.    

 

Jaco Pastorius Sound & Vision…

 

Jaco and Joni: “Shadows & Light”  https://youtu.be/bLKb9Ms68ME

 

Ian Hunter “All American Alien Boy” https://youtu.be/i9y7IIjS3Kk

 

From Rock ‘n’ Roll Sweepstakes: Ian Hunter – The Authorized Biography Volume Two by Campbell Devine (Omnibus Press). Tom Semioli, who runs the US website KNOW YOUR BASS PLAYER describes the record that introduced (Jaco) Pastorius to rock audiences as “…an overlooked masterpiece. Jaco’s bold motifs beautified Hunter’s intense, introspective, observational verses and melodies. Unlike his time with Joni, Jaco didn’t dare outmaneuver Hunter. An undeniably captivating marriage of jazz, rock and poetry, no album (All American Alien Boy / 1976 / Columbia Records) sounded like this before, and no album has sounded like it since….”

 

 

Weather Report:

 

“Teen Town” https://youtu.be/a3113eNj4IA

 

“Birdland”  https://youtu.be/SvhmaNlLgRM

 

Jaco:

 

“Donna Lee”  https://youtu.be/dGbCxcuNjBU

 

“Portrait of Tracy” https://youtu.be/IqndXUPBjIo

 

 

 

Courtesy Paul Jackson Com

 

By Thomas Semioli

A giant of the instrument, Paul Jackson’s tenure as anchor of Herbie Hancock’s groundbreaking Headhunters ensembles brought jazz fusion and funk to the masses, and continues to influence generations of bass players and hip-hop artists who have endlessly sampled his work.

 

A master of rhythm and space, Jackson’s “economic” approach was founded on repetitive lower-register motifs punctuated with tuneful upper-register fills which complimented Herbie’s melodies and the grooves forged by drummers Harvey Mason and Mike Clark.

 

A Grammy Award nominated composer, solo recording artist, and in-demand session player/collaborator with artists including Santana, Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, Al Di Meola, the Oakland Symphony, and the Pointer Sisters – to cite a very select few – Paul Jackson was also an acclaimed educator and founder of Jazz for Kids.

 

Paul Jackson Sound & Vision…

 

Herbie Hancock “Palm Grease” https://youtu.be/sRn7WlikdUA     

 

Paul on the tracks he composed with Herbie:

 

“Chameleon” https://youtu.be/WYRrIBqKsJ4

 

“Hang Up Your Hang-Ups” https://youtu.be/d7kRlufrZJo

 

“Spider” https://youtu.be/HQPdVhYZgR0

 

Mike Clark / Paul Jackson Funk Tutorial Part One: https://youtu.be/i-3v0NN3FNo

 

Paul Jackson Trio “Everything” https://youtu.be/grQBpNRIAY0

 

Santana: “Give Me Love”  https://youtu.be/0MGBQffSVSY

 

Pointer Sisters “Chainey Do” https://youtu.be/xhmp3J79CNI