R.I.P Joe Zawinul

[jwbassman]

I know that this isn't neccessarily bass related, and mods feel free to move this thread but I just heard the news that Joe Zawinul passed away this morning. Incredible musician who gave many a great bass player a career boost. Rest in peace.

Jazz Legend Joe Zawinul Dies at 75
By VERONIKA OLEKSYN – 2 hours ago

VIENNA, Austria (AP) — Joe Zawinul, who soared to fame as one of the creators of jazz fusion and performed and recorded with Miles Davis, died early Tuesday, a hospital official said. He was 75.

Zawinul had been hospitalized since last month. A spokeswoman for Vienna's Wilhelmina Clinic confirmed his death without giving details. His manager, Risa Zincke, said Zawinul suffered from a rare form of skin cancer, according to the Austria Press Agency.

Zawinul won widespread acclaim for his keyboard work on chart-topping Davis albums such as "In A Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew," and was a leading force behind the so-called "Electric Jazz" movement.

In 1970, Zawinul founded the band Weather Report and produced a series of albums including "Heavy Weather," "Black Market" and "I Sing the Body Electric." After that band's breakup, he founded the Zawinul Syndicate in 1987.

Zawinul, who was born in the Austrian capital, Vienna, and emigrated to the United States in 1959, is credited with bringing the electric piano and synthesizer into the jazz mainstream.

This past spring, he toured Europe to mark the 20th anniversary of the Zawinul Syndicate. He sought medical attention when the tour ended, the Viennese Hospital Association said in a statement last month.

Austrian President Heinz Fischer said Zawinul's death meant the loss of a "music ambassador" who was known and cherished around the world. "As a person and through his music, Joe Zawinul will remain unforgettable for us all," Fischer said in a statement.

Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer praised Zawinul's "unpretentious way of dealing with listeners" and said he wasn't "blinded by superficialities."

"Wherever he performed, he impressed with his playing," Gusenbauer said in a statement.

Zawinul's son, Erich, said his father would not be forgotten. "He lives on," Erich Zawinul was quoted as saying by APA.

Zawinul played with Maynard Ferguson and Dinah Washington before joining alto saxophonist great Cannonball Adderley in 1961 for nine years, according to a biography on his Web site. With Adderley, Zawinul wrote several important songs, among them the slow and funky hit "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy."

Zawinul then moved on to a brief collaboration with Miles Davis, at the time Davis was moving into the electric arena. It was Zawinul's tune "In a Silent Way" that served as the title track of Davis' first electric foray.

Funeral plans were not immediately released, but Vienna Mayor Michael Haeupl told reporters he would be given an honorary grave in the capital.

[GobBass]

Just heard it on MySpace....a true innovator of fusion...He was Jaco's right hand man...genius.

Joe Z....R.I.P.

[John Wentzien]

Very important man in our BIZ. Thanks!

[zazz]

Originally Posted by jwbassman

I know that this isn't neccessarily bass related, and mods feel free to move this thread but I just heard the news that Joe Zawinul passed away this morning. Incredible musician who gave many a great bass player a career boost. Rest in peace.

Jazz Legend Joe Zawinul Dies at 75
By VERONIKA OLEKSYN – 2 hours ago

VIENNA, Austria (AP) — Joe Zawinul, who soared to fame as one of the creators of jazz fusion and performed and recorded with Miles Davis, died early Tuesday, a hospital official said. He was 75.

Zawinul had been hospitalized since last month. A spokeswoman for Vienna's Wilhelmina Clinic confirmed his death without giving details. His manager, Risa Zincke, said Zawinul suffered from a rare form of skin cancer, according to the Austria Press Agency.

Zawinul won widespread acclaim for his keyboard work on chart-topping Davis albums such as "In A Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew," and was a leading force behind the so-called "Electric Jazz" movement.

In 1970, Zawinul founded the band Weather Report and produced a series of albums including "Heavy Weather," "Black Market" and "I Sing the Body Electric." After that band's breakup, he founded the Zawinul Syndicate in 1987.

Zawinul, who was born in the Austrian capital, Vienna, and emigrated to the United States in 1959, is credited with bringing the electric piano and synthesizer into the jazz mainstream.

This past spring, he toured Europe to mark the 20th anniversary of the Zawinul Syndicate. He sought medical attention when the tour ended, the Viennese Hospital Association said in a statement last month.

Austrian President Heinz Fischer said Zawinul's death meant the loss of a "music ambassador" who was known and cherished around the world. "As a person and through his music, Joe Zawinul will remain unforgettable for us all," Fischer said in a statement.

Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer praised Zawinul's "unpretentious way of dealing with listeners" and said he wasn't "blinded by superficialities."

"Wherever he performed, he impressed with his playing," Gusenbauer said in a statement.

Zawinul's son, Erich, said his father would not be forgotten. "He lives on," Erich Zawinul was quoted as saying by APA.

Zawinul played with Maynard Ferguson and Dinah Washington before joining alto saxophonist great Cannonball Adderley in 1961 for nine years, according to a biography on his Web site. With Adderley, Zawinul wrote several important songs, among them the slow and funky hit "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy."

Zawinul then moved on to a brief collaboration with Miles Davis, at the time Davis was moving into the electric arena. It was Zawinul's tune "In a Silent Way" that served as the title track of Davis' first electric foray.

Funeral plans were not immediately released, but Vienna Mayor Michael Haeupl told reporters he would be given an honorary grave in the capital.

sorry to see the guy go.... and amazed that you could say so much on a bass forum without mentioning jaco!!

goes without saying i suppose.

[YCBass]

Gosh man! I just began to get captivated (again and again) with Heavy Weather yesterday.....

Besides what happened 6 years ago... this gives additional meaning to 9/11.

RIP Joe Zawinul.

[Miles Berry]

Crazy, Ive been getting into zawinul syndicate a lot, and I just got my first cd of them yesterday...the world tour. No bueno.

[jwsamuel]

Originally Posted by zazz

sorry to see the guy go.... and amazed that you could say so much on a bass forum without mentioning jaco!!

goes without saying i suppose.

I am amazed that so many messages could be posted without mentioning Miroslav Vitous or Alphonso Johnson.

Jim

[bickele]

Great example for all!
After decades in the music business and thousands of gigs, he still had the passion and the joy of playing music. On stage he looked like he was discovering new things all the time, he had that child-like excitement that many loose after a while.

Thanks for the lesson Joe!

b.

[markjazzbassist]

dang. i loved weather report. joe will be missed for sure.

[bassist15]

This news really makes me sad. Joe is one of the most underrated composers of jazz and music overall. A true genius and someone who I will never forget . Miles owed Joe alot for his introduction to electric jazz. Ill never forget you joe. RIP

[bassybill]

End of an era for me. This man and his band have given me a great deal of musical enjoyment over the years - very sad to think he's gone, but it's great that he's left such a rich legacy for us all.

Talent like that doesn't come round very often. It's nice to think that in this case it's appreciated by many.

[Tslicebass]

Heart braking
One of my biggest influences... I thought he would have lived forever. I will sorely miss is creative energy.
Time to play thru all my Weather Report albums

[Fun Size Nick]

Wow....truly a great loss, a legend has departed...I'll be playing 'A Remark You Made' with feeling tonight...

[88persuader]

I was lucky enough to see Weather Report many years ago in Boston on the "Heavy Weather" tour with Jaco on bass. It was a life changing event for me. Joe made a huge impact on jazz and fusion music and will be missed ... but never forgotten! God Bless Joe!

[Pacman]

Duplicate thread.