I received this e-mail from Ingrid Pastorius, wife of the late Jaco Pastorius. Seems as though the family could use our help in getting the City of Oakland Park Florida, to see the wisdom in naming a park after Jaco. read the note and fire off an e-mail
Thanks,
Dbassmon
A request... with and for love.
When in the mid to late 50's, at age 6 or 7, Jaco came to Florida from Pennsylvania, he moved into the City of Oakland Park, located within the vicinity of For Lauderdale. Oakland Park was his stomping grounds till the mid to late 70's.
In Oakland Park Jaco lived, and experienced life that included:
*a paper route with his regular local customers,
*neighbor paying him not to play his drums,
*climbing the big trees,
*often winning in the beloved game of baseball,
*North East High School (Oakland Park), where they now honor him through their music program, led by Steve Salo,
*.the warehouses boom-ing with the sounds of Jaco and friends jamming
*Modern Music Store where compositions were born
*falling in love with the sounds of trains and Dixie Highway
*writing his works for his first solo album "Jaco Pastorius"
^recording/mastering in Peter Yianilos' Aritisan studio much of his solo record "Word Of Mouth" as well as other projects.
I am missing quite a few more Oakland Park landmarks that were a part of Jaco's upbringing and life, but I am writing in the hopes it will inspire you and your voice to be an integral part in naming a park after him that is about to be build in Oakland Park, located next to Dixie Highway, blocks from his home he grew up in.
To read more about it, and what you can do to help, please go to
www.jacopastoriuspark.org or
www.jacopark.org. Write a letter or email to the City of Oakland Park telling them why you believe Jaco deserves this mention and honor so that there is a place people from all over the world can get together in Jaco's name, and discover Oakland Park, but most importantly download the petition, fill it out, sign and send it in, for those signed requests are going to be the main part of the whole that will be Jaco Pastorius Park.
In addition a musical event is taking place on May 13th at Alligator Alley, Oakland Park, Florida, to collectively move the project into reality via music played by his sons, and friends, and a petition drive.
Someday a yearly music fest in his name will sound at the park for present, and future generations to learn about his musical roots, and what impact he has made on all of us.
Your voice is so important, and shall be heard, imagine being a catalyst in the naming of the Jaco Pastorius Park. As Jaco use to say:"got to get those molecules movin".
Wholeheartedly,
Ingrid Pastorius
Thanks, on behalf of many who started, and are part of this beautiful, and heartfelt grassroots movement. GBJ
Attachment 34131
Heres the email address of city hall
cityhall@oaklandparkfl.org
Here's my note to them:
To Whom it may concern,
Whether or not you are a fan of music, whether you like jazz, classical or rap music, you must understand that very rarely does a talent come along that changes the land scape of an art form.
Rarely does a light burn so brightly that it illuminates the entire globe, in every country, in every village where people who appreciate music reside.
Throughout the history of recorded civilization, these talents come along maybe once in a generation. There names are synonymous with music itself , names like Bach, Beethoven, Andreas Segovia, Charlie Parker, Jimi Hendrix, to name a few.
We have reverence for these people because not only do they enrich our lives musically but they show us that more is possible than we know and believe. They show us the hand of God through musical talent.
The City of Oakland Park has a native son by the name of John Francis Pastorius, known to the entire world as Jaco. He burst onto the music scene in 1976 with such an explosion that fall out continues to this day, some 30 years later. His life ended tragically and violently but his voice and contributions were so fresh and original that they will live on for generations to come. The very best musicians in the world acknowledge what the name Jaco, means to face of modern music and certainly every electric bass player will reveal the name Jaco, when asked about influences.
The City of Oakland Park owns uniquely, the title of "The home of Jaco Pastorius". It would be terrible mistake not to take all the positive things associated with the life of Jaco Pastorius and tie them forever to the CIty of Oakland Park in a real way. I urge you strongly to consider naming the new downtown park at 38th Street & Dixie Highway after this American Master. This should be a point of pride for this community. It would certainly be a beacon calling visitors from around the globe. Japan, Brazil, Europe, Australia and of coarse, the USA, to make pilgrimages to this place.
My warmest regards to the citizens of your fair city. Rest in peace Jaco.
Sincerely,
Jeff Gellis
