Jaco News

Premiere of Rodrigo y Gabriela’s Cover of “Continuum” from “JACO” Film Soundtrack

Following the debut of Mass Mental’s cover of “Come On Come On Over” from JACO Film Soundtrack, the second track debuted on GuitarWorld.com yesterday. This time around, Rodrigo y Gabriela take on “Continuum”.

From the Guitar World article: “Rodrigo y Gabriela’s new interpretation of the song is one of the highlights of Jaco: Original Soundtrack, the soundtrack album from Jaco, a new documentary by Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo and Jaco’s eldest son, John Pastorius IV. The album will be released November 27 via Legacy; it boasts 11 songs by Pastorius, along with three new recordings.”

Premiere of Mass Mental’s “Come On Come On Over” from “JACO” Film Soundtrack

Jaco Pastorius

The first track from JACO: Original Soundtrack is out. The track was exclusively debuted on Billboard.com.

Among the 16 tracks are five new interpretations of Jaco’s songs. This first one is Mass Mental’s take on “Come On Come Over”, which first appeared on Jaco’s 1976 solo debut. Film producer and Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo reformed Mass Mental for the soundtrack.

“The music is really experimental and super funky, and every time we do a show for some weird reason it turns into a party and celebrity musicians show up. We did our own particular version of ‘Come On Come Over, and I’m so proud of it. It can never be as great as the original, but ours is different and we just set out to do the best we could.”

Take a listen:

“The soundtrack in a way is a dream in itself for me,” Trujillo told Billboard. “We really wanted to go deep and do some different tracks, like (Ian Hunter’s) All American Alien Boy and ‘Okonkole Y Trompa.’ And on top of that I thought it would be cool to add some new versions of Jaco compositions. It was nice to add something a little different to this, ’cause you’ve had The Essential Jaco [Pastorious] and various compilations over the years, so it was nice to do something that was a little bit different but still include the classics like ‘Teen Town’ and ‘Continuum’ and ‘Portrait of Tracy’ and all that. For me it was very special.”

“JACO” and the companion soundtrack will be released on November 27th.

JACO: Original Soundtrack Released

JACO: Original SoundtrackWe have exciting news to share. The soundtrack for the upcoming “JACO” film was announced today! Here’s the announcement:

A single-disc collection of music from the forthcoming documentary film, “JACO,” the JACO: Original Soundtrack premieres three brand-new recordings including two riveting interpretations of Jaco classics: “Come On Come Over” by Mass Mental (featuring Robert Trujillo, Armand Sabal-Lecco, Flea, Whit Crane, Benji Webbe, Stephen Perkins & C-Minus) and “Continuum” by Rodrigo y Gabriel; and “Shine,” the new track by Tech N9ne containing a sample of “Kuru,” as recorded by Jaco Pastorius.

Produced by Robert Trujillo and Jaco’s eldest son John Pastorius IV, JACO: Original Soundtrack brings together 16 essential recordings including Jaco Pastorius solo tracks, Weather Report masterpieces and musical collaborations with Joni Mitchell, Ian Hunter, Herbie Hancock and more. The album offers music fans the rare evocative sonic soundscape, “Longing,” featuring Jaco’s daughter Mary Pastorius (vox), Chuck Doom (bass), Robert Thomas, Jr. (hand drums/drum kit) and God (rain/thunder).

A full-length documentary film chronicling the life, music and ongoing influence of the mythic electric bass pioneer Jaco Pastorius, “JACO” is produced by Robert Trujillo (bassist: Metallica, Infectious Grooves, Mass Mental) John Pastorius IV, Bob Bobbing, and John Battsek of Passion Pictures (“Searching for Sugar Man,” “Project Nim”) and marks the directorial debut of documentary filmmaker Paul Marchand and Stephen Kijak (“Scott Walker: 30 Century Man,” “Cinemania”). “JACO” incorporates interviews with musical visionaries including Sting, Joni Mitchell, Flea, Jerry Jemmott, Bootsy Collins, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana and others with never-before-seen photos and films from the Pastorius family archive. This extraordinary film reveals the story behind Jaco’s life and music, both as a solo artist and member of Weather Report, the tragic arc of his demise and early death and the enduring influence and inspiration of his artistry and genius.

Legacy’s JACO: Original Soundtrack includes liner notes on Jaco Pastorius penned by Robert Trujillo and album co-producer Chuck Doom.

Also slated for consumer home release on November 27, “JACO,” the documentary, will be available via VOD, streaming services, digital download and on DVD and Blu-ray.

“JACO” had its world premiere earlier this year at Austin’s SxSW Film Conference & Festival, accompanied by a panel discussion featuring filmmakers Trujillo and Marchand as well as longtime Pastorius collaborator Peter Erskine (Weather Report, Word of Mouth) and Executive Producer John Pastorius.

“JACO” has garnered acclaim at a number of major festivals, including the inaugural Asbury Park Music in Film Festival and the Montreal International Jazz Festival. The film “(captures) the essence of what made Jaco Pastorius such an influential artist,” declared the Montreal Gazette, praising “the glowing words of Marchand’s interviewees and the many recorded and live musical excerpts that he lets speak for themselves” and hailing “JACO” as “an enlightening introduction to a groundbreaking musician.”

On Thursday, November 22 at 7pm, The Theatre at Ace Hotel will host a special screening of the critically acclaimed documentary JACO. The screening will be followed by a 9pm performance by Trujillo and fun rock collective Mass Mental, featuring Armand Sabal-Lecco, Brooks Wackerman, Whit Crane and Stevie Salas. Hipster Assassins featuring Felix Pastorius, Mike Bendy, John Bendy, Chris Ward and Kenny Grohowski will also be performing.

Track List:

Compilation Produced by Robert Trujillo & Johnny Pastorius

  1. Come On, Come Over – Jaco Pastorius
  2. Continuum – Jaco Pastorius
  3. River People – Weather Report
  4. Teen Town – Weather Report
  5. Portrait of Tracy – Jaco Pastorius
  6. The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines (Live Version) – Joni Mitchell
  7. All American Alien Boy – Ian Hunter
  8. Liberty City (with Herbie Hancock) – Jaco Pastorius
  9. Okonkole Y Trompa – Jaco Pastorius
  10. Barbary Coast – Weather Report
  11. Crisis – Jaco Pastorius
  12. Longing – Mary Pastorius
  13. Nineteen Eighty Seven – †††
  14. Shine – Tech N9ne
  15. Continuum – Rodrigo y Gabriela
  16. Come On Come Over – Mass Mental (featuring Robert Trujillo, Armand Sabal-Lecco, Flea, Whit Crane, Benji Webbe, Stephen Perkins & C-Minus)

Get the soundtrack here.

Herbie Hancock Hosting “Jaco World” Tonight at the Hollywood Bowl

Jaco Pastorius

Herbie Hancock, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association’s William Powers & Carolyn Powers Creative Chair for Jazz, will join an all-star line-up of special guests for Jaco’s World, and host the evening at the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday, August 12, 2015.

The concert brings together many jazz greats performing Jaco’s iconic Word of Mouth album as well as other repertoire he was renowned for performing, reimagined by Grammy-winning arranger Vince Mendoza. Clips from the documentary JACO will also be featured on the Bowl’s big screens.

Herbie Hancock, who performed on Word of Mouth, will introduce Wayne Shorter and his Quartet, who opens the show, as well as introduce the special guests and serve as host throughout the evening.

Bassist Victor Bailey, who was previously announced as part of the line-up, is unable to perform due to a scheduling conflict. He is replaced by bassist Will Lee.

For more information, visit HollywoodBowl.com.

Jaco’s World Line-up:

Alex Acuña, special guest
Manolo Badrena, special guest
John Beasley, special guest
Peter Erskine, special guest
Paul Jackson Jr., special guest
Jerry Jemmott, special guest
Booker T. Jones, special guest
Will Lee, special guest
Bob Mintzer, special guest
Sam Moore, special guest
Felix Pastorius, special guest
Wayne Shorter, special guest
Tierney Sutton, special guest
Robert Trujillo, special guest
Vince Mendoza, musical director
Herbie Hancock, host and special guest

Wayne Shorter Quartet

Herbie Hancock Hosting “Jaco World” Tonight at the Hollywood Bowl

Jaco Pastorius

Herbie Hancock, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association’s William Powers & Carolyn Powers Creative Chair for Jazz, will join an all-star line-up of special guests for Jaco’s World, and host the evening at the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday, August 12, 2015.

The concert brings together many jazz greats performing Jaco’s iconic Word of Mouth album as well as other repertoire he was renowned for performing, reimagined by Grammy-winning arranger Vince Mendoza. Clips from the documentary JACO will also be featured on the Bowl’s big screens.

Herbie Hancock, who performed on Word of Mouth, will introduce Wayne Shorter and his Quartet, who opens the show, as well as introduce the special guests and serve as host throughout the evening.

Bassist Victor Bailey, who was previously announced as part of the line-up, is unable to perform due to a scheduling conflict. He is replaced by bassist Will Lee.

For more information, visit HollywoodBowl.com.

Jaco’s World Line-up:

Alex Acuña, special guest
Manolo Badrena, special guest
John Beasley, special guest
Peter Erskine, special guest
Paul Jackson Jr., special guest
Jerry Jemmott, special guest
Booker T. Jones, special guest
Will Lee, special guest
Bob Mintzer, special guest
Sam Moore, special guest
Felix Pastorius, special guest
Wayne Shorter, special guest
Tierney Sutton, special guest
Robert Trujillo, special guest
Vince Mendoza, musical director
Herbie Hancock, host and special guest

Wayne Shorter Quartet

Welcome!

Jaco at the beachWelcome to the all-new site for Jaco! We’re glad you’re here.

We’ve updated the Music section to include more details about the albums (and more albums).

If you haven’t already, be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and subscribe to the Jaco email newsletter, and check out Jaco, the film!

This is just the beginning. We have a lot more planned, and a lot coming your way.

— Mary, John, Felix & Julius

Happy birthday, Jaco: Stories from Robert Trujillo, Armand Sabal-Lecco (and you!)

Happy Birthday, Jaco! To help us celebrate, Robert Trujillo and Armand Sabal-Lecco shared their birthday wishes, in celebration of Jaco’s birthday and the launch of this new site.

Robert Trujillo

Three weeks ago I was walking around the center of Washington DC – must have been around 12:30am. The streets were completely empty, my wife Chloe and I had a huge dinner with my band mates. She didn’t want to partake in a post-meal walk through the streets of DC in the middle of the night with me, as she was tired and cold, so I went on a solo mission. I proceeded only to find myself lost, like a Twilight Zone episode… lol.

I tried to wrap my head around the situation, and as I started to feel a bit strange and nervous, my iPhone – for no apparent reason – started playing music… Jaco’s music! I’m hearing “Night Passage” from my pocket! At first I thought there were exterior speaker’s around the government buildings. Anyway, I took it as a comforting Jaco message sent from above.

My selected playlist of track’s from his first solo LP, and some Weather Report tune’s grooved me back to the hotel safely.

You’re here in our hearts and souls, always remembered.

Happy Birthday Jaco Pastorius.

Armand Sabal-Lecco

You can add your own stories and birthday wishes too! Please share in the comments section below…