How come Jaco isn't recognised as a pianist?

[43apples]

I just finished watching Jaco's "Modern Electric Bass" DVD, and on the end of the movie, the man himself is playing a rather nice tune on the piano.

It sounds to my ears like he had been playing the piano alot, and were really good at it. Then, how come we never hear about Jaco as a pianist?

-Erlend

[Mcrelly]

not to point out the obvious, but when someone says "He's a ..." it usually something in which a person excels.

This is a true statement about Jaco: "Jaco is a bass icon, but he plays piano."

he probably did other things well too, like drive a car or sleep....

p.s. yes, I did see and own that video and he plays beautifully...

[fcleff]

I think that when you put Jaco along side the other pianist he played with (Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Lyle Mays, et. al.) then he really doesn't shine as brightly.

Having said that, I think that Jaco was a brillian musician who was able to use the piano as a tool when composing. He certainly had the skills to voice chords with good voice leading. He understood theory and harmony as well. He could probably even jam some on piano. But, like I said, put him up against the others and it's just not there on that specific instrument (piano).

[43apples]

Originally Posted by Mcrelly

not to point out the obvious, but when someone says "He's a ..." it usually something in which a person excels.

This is a true statement about Jaco: "Jaco is a bass icon, but he plays piano."

he probably did other things well too, like drive a car or sleep....

p.s. yes, I did see and own that video and he plays beautifully...

Hmm... I somewhat understand the humour in that, but still... It's alot more noteworthy to play piano than to be able to sleep


I just find it strange that Jaco's piano playing is so overshadowed by his bass playing.

[DocBop]

Jaco spent a lot of time composing and arranging so makes sense he plays piano. Don't forget he started as a drummer so he was an all round musician.

[Alaska Bass]

Originally Posted by Erlend_G

It's alot more noteworthy to play piano than to be able to sleep

Not to some people

[The Lurker]

It's because the Pentaverate decided he was already worshipped enough for his bass playing, and that it would not be fair to let him be a piano hero too.

[musicman5string]

Let's not forget Jaco played drums, sax, and guitar also.

[Lokire]

He probably isn't recognized as a pianist because we never really heard him play piano. At least, aside from that one clip, I've never seen or heard him play piano. Live or on any recordings.

[jdicebassist]

For the same reason that Van Gogh isn't recognized as a surgeon. Sure he could cut off a mean ear, but he's remembered mostly for his paintings.

[doctorjazz]

When you think of Marcus Miller, do you automatically think "clarinet"? Nevermind the fact that he's a classically trained clarinetist and uses it on a lot of his tunes.

Jaco didn't really do anything that amazing piano-wise in that clip. Just playing a tune he'd written, one of my favorite Jaco compositions too. Scads of musicians can play the piano with a notable degree of proficiency, it's a universal instrument of sorts. Jaco was a great composer, so it seems logical that he'd be able to do it.

As mentioned before, he was originally an awesome drummer. Little known fact - so was Michael Brecker.

[Eublet]

Most jazz cats play piano about like Jaco did. It's the greatest instrument for developing a sense of harmony, as well as writing music. Jaco's piano playing wasn't anything to write home about.

[werbo1]

He invented fretless piano.

[darkblack99]

Originally Posted by werbo1

He invented fretless piano.

Yeah, but he used key markers.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Lokire

He probably isn't recognized as a pianist because we never really heard him play piano. At least, aside from that one clip, I've never seen or heard him play piano. Live or on any recordings.

You can here Jaco play some very nice piano on his Word of Mouth album/cd on the track John & Mary and he also was known to be a very talented basket ball player as well.

[Anesthesia]

from the small amount of information i have read about jaco apparently he was good at nasketball football and also playing the drums so why dont we hear that?

he was his best at bass so thats what people remember.

[doctorjazz]

Speaking of, isn't that him playing drums on Teen Town? I'm tired and can't be arsed to drag out my copy of Heavy Weather to see for sure.

[WarriorJoe7]

Originally Posted by werbo1

He invented fretless piano.

wouldn't that be keyless piano... it's just one long rubber mat (hey they could do that with midi and a keyboard nowadays LOL)

[justinb515]

Jaco isn't known as a piano player for the same reason Michael Jordan isn't known as a baseball player.

[Eublet]

Originally Posted by doctorjazz

Speaking of, isn't that him playing drums on Teen Town? I'm tired and can't be arsed to drag out my copy of Heavy Weather to see for sure.

No, I don't think so. But if memory is correct he played the drums on Barbary Coast.