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Electric bassists · 1951–1987

Jaco Pastorius

American jazz bassist (1951–1987)

Born: 1 December 1951
Norristown
Died: 21 September 1987
Broward Health
Country: United States
Active: 1964–1987
Record labels: Warner Bros. Records, Epic Records
Discography: 50 albums

Biography

Jaco Pastorius was a jazz musician who played bass guitar. Jaco Pastorius was born on 1 December 1951 in Norristown and died on 21 September 1987 in Broward Health. The music is usually filed under jazz, jazz fusion and jazz-funk. Record labels: Warner Bros. Records and Epic Records. The discography here lists 50 albums, from “Jaco” (1974) to “New York 1982” (2025).

John Francis Anthony Pastorius III, also known as Jaco Pastorius ( JAH-koh pass-TOR-ee-əss; December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987), was an American jazz bassist, composer, and producer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential bassists of all time, Pastorius recorded albums as a solo artist, band leader, and as a member of the jazz fusion group Weather Report from 1976 to 1981. He also collaborated with numerous artists, including Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny and Joni Mitchell. His bass style was influenced by funk and employed the use of fretless bass, lyrical solos, bass chords and innovative use of harmonics. As of 2017, he was the only one of seven bassists inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame to have been known for their work on the electric bass, and he has been lauded as among the best bassists of all time.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Jaco 1974

Jaco Pastorius 1976

The Birthday Concert 1981 · Live

Word of Mouth 1981

Invitation 1982 · Live

The Florida Concert 1982 · Live

Invitation 1983 · Live

Last Flight 1984

Across the Atlantic Ocean 1985 · Live

Brian Melvin's Night Food 1985

Natural 1985

Jaco 1986

Live Columbus Ohio 1986 1986 · Live

PDB 1986

Jazz Street 1989

Live in New York City, Volume 1: Punk Jazz 1990 · Live

Blackbird 1991

Honestly Live - Solo 1991 · Live

Live In New York City, Volume 3: Promise Land 1991 · Live

Live in Italy 1991 · Live

Live in New York City, Volume 2: Trio 1991 · Live

Heavy'n Jazz 1992 · Live

Live In New York City, Volume 4: Trio...2 1992 · Live

Holiday for Pans 1993

In New York 1993 · Live

Live in New York City, Volume 5: Raça 1993 · Live

Curtain Call 1996 · Live

A Good Stitch For Golden Roads 1997

Golden Roads 1997

Live In New York City, Volume Seven: History 1998 · Live

Live in New York City, Volume 6: Punk Jazz 1998 · Live

Broadway Blues 1999

Broadway Blues & Teresa 1999

Another Side of Jaco Pastorius 2002

Smoke on the Water: Live in Rome, 1986 2007 · Live

Word Of Mouth Band 1983 Japan Tour 2007 · Live

Jaco's First Band 2008

Tommy Strand & The Upper Hand Featuring Jaco Pastorius (1971) 2009

Live in New York City, 16 June 1974 2011 · Live

Modern American Music...Period! The Criteria Sessions 2014

Jazz In Toulouse 2016 · Live

Truth, Liberty & Soul - Live in NYC: The Complete 1982 NPR Jazz Alive! Recording 2017 · Live

Workshop à la Martinique 2017 · Live

New York 1982 (Live 1982) 2019 · Live

Kyojin (live Tokyo '82) 2025 · Live

New York 1982 2025 · Live

Live in Lone Star Cafe, NY (15 January, 1985) · Live

Live in New York City, Volume 3: Promise Land · Live

Live in New York City, Volume 4: Trio 2 · Live

Live in New York City, Volume 7: History · Live

Also plays on

Albums where Jaco Pastorius is credited as a sideman

1976	Hejira — Joni Mitchell	bass
1977	Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter — Joni Mitchell	bass, bongos, cowbell
1978	Sunlight — Herbie Hancock	electric bass guitar
1979	Mingus — Joni Mitchell	bass, instrument arranger
1980	Mr. Hands — Herbie Hancock	bass
1980	Shadows and Light — Joni Mitchell	fretless bass, bass