Jaco Pastorius Story with Bob Mover

Bob talks about how he met the Jazz Bassist Jaco Pastorius. The unheard story of the member of Weather Report, one of the most successful Jazz Fusion bands from 1976-1981. Here you'll get to hear a firsthand account of Jaco's personality and attitude toward playing Bass and Jazz as well as how he was as a bandmate and a friend. Hear it only at Bob Mover Academy.
www.bobmoverac...

[@ernietollar407]

Thanks maestro Bob for the beautifully told remembrances which are so rich yet obviously utterly heartbreaking.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Thank you, Ernie. Like the music itself, the truth is most often bitter sweet as you well know.

[@patm5086]

Hi Bob, enjoyed the stories. Jaco would walk past my apartment early mornings from the bottle club where he was murdered.

[@robertbruner7429]

That was fascinating and gave insight into Jaco's life that was absent from Wikipedia and other such sources. I was listening to an interview with Bill Kreutzmann (drummer Grateful Dead) discussing excessive cocaine use as related to playing, and he's of the opinion that nothing ever damaged his musicianship so much as that, including psychedelics and/or heroin. As a one time heavy user I agree. What starts as a chemical that's very extroverted and opening to what others are playing, sneaks up with heavy use and turns us into introverts where the focus is entirely on what we're playing and not what the bandmates are doing. Add to that the paranoid psychosis that follows days without sleep in the mind of a bipolar person to begin with and it's a recipe for bad things. Such a damned shame because the music Jaco gave us was absolutely magical but so short lived. I remain convinced that it's the relationships with drugs that are bad, not the drugs themselves, but many are not able to maintain short-term patterns essential for said relationships to remain healthy.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Very well and accurately put. It's how we use the drugs, and how we allow the drugs to use us. I think Cocaine (along with alcohol) is the most insidious. Many lives and talents destroyed.

[@ber334]

​@@bobmoverjazzabilityalso let's not forget the financial thing. Don't forget the George Carlin line, drugs aren't the problem it's running out of drugs is the problem!!!! Girl never did it for me especially while playing but it was the boy that help me relax and at the same time be energized and motivated. I was smoking pot excessively everyday and when I discovered the boy I remember how thankful I was that I finally found something which would allow me to stop smoking pot. But my self-medicating and addiction was way out of hand and it led me to methodone which works for me but at my age I would love to try to get off of it to see if I could live clean and sober

[@artysanmobile]

Hi Bob. I’m trying to remember where and when we met, it could’ve been many times. I hope you know Jaco spoke with real affection about you. I was with him a lot from 1974 to the end, most poignantly in that phase you describe - clean and super healthy, soon to find the wrong people which was too sad for words. I partied a bit at that time and I’ll never forget Tracy, feeling desperate in her own home, begging me to keep it together. Such a lovely woman, I still love her dearly. You just mentioned dozens of people we saw with regularity during the following decade, many family, many caring friends such as yourself. It’s uncanny to hear you speak all those names and wonder how we didn’t manage to become friends. I don’t think it would’ve taken much time to see your beautiful heart and become close. I’m kinda rambling, just a little stunned by all I just read. Take the very best care of yourself. I hope there is a chance to meet one day. The world isn’t that big. 🤗 Peter Y.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Dear Peter, the thoughtfulness and articulateness of your expression of your letter really touched my heart. There is not much left to say about Jaco, except to say that those who loved him as their friend, always appreciate someone who shared the same feelings for him. I too am surprised that we didn't meet. Well, now we have, and um, I am very busy but I would certainly enjoy talking to you. Send me an email at [e-mail], and my administrator will send you my private number.

[@artysanmobile]

@@bobmoverjazzability Will do. Honestly, we might not talk about him. Who knows? But I share that quiet delight in knowing our hearts were in the right place. Thanks for your lovely words.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

@@artysanmobile Peter, sure. Just give me a call and our conversation will go where it will go. It's an open sky.

[@johnpick8336]

All of our lives, in the end, are a collection of moments added together. We only walk this way once so savor our good or bad moments while we are here.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Sometimes it's the bad moments that get us to the next level. As Henry Miller said, "The more one is shattered, the more one opens up."

[@Wolferal]

That was a very moving story. Thank you.

[@thebreathalyzer]

God bless you, Bob. Thanks for sharing your story and for all the wonderful music over the years. Jaco's story took such a tragic turn. Just gut wrenching what happened at the end. I think it's so important to remember the good stuff, I think that was the REAL Jaco. The funny and warm cat who was a real friend and the most amazing electric bassist anyone ever heard.

[@timothysmallaxe]

Great Great stories Bob i was captivated thank you so much 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 take care

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Glad you have been digging the podcast . Thanks for subscribing, and happy to welcome you to our channel.

[@markbra]

Great story ! Spectacular back round.

[@CreativeRob]

Thank you for sharing your story! :)

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Glad it affected you. Thank you for responding to it.

[@ailishbethd4033]

Thank you so much for sharing your moments with your friend Jaco. It couldn't have been easy for you to recount all of that. 🙏

[@JerryT21]

I'm in tears , thank you for sharing your story 🙏🙏🙏

[@LucilleBrawl17]

How neat!! It's so weird that had Jaco not passed 34 years ago he'd be this gentleman's age. He'll always be eternally young.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Had he lived, one would have hoped that he would have found the right treatment for his particular form of mental illness.

[@Zepster77]

You’re a great storyteller Bob.... loved it

[@kennethhacker3014]

Great story and I thank you..rip Jaco

[@robertbeger4275]

Very touching. Fills in one more little facet of Jaco's being.

[@mrtriffid]

Great stories! Very moving . . .

[@davidanderson7382]

This story made my day.

[@luvbasses5487]

This story is further proof that drugs n alcohol are destructive…and overrated. I believe it was Zawinul who urged Jaco to have “a taste of the rock” and alcohol goes hand in hand with it. I know firsthand myself the flavors of both items. They can be very dangerous if overused. Maybe Jaco had some mental health issues that weren’t yet identified or diagnosed. This was the early eighties and we’ve come a long way since then in addressing these issues. Thanks Bob, for the chat. I enjoy hearing these stories! Be well.

[@joezawinulreviewsandreacti2509]

Yeah I don't think Joe would have never urged Jaco to drink with him if he had any idea it would end up like that. Joe did drink a bit too much but he still kept active and lived a pretty healthy lifestyle

[@paulbartell8872]

Great interview. I,ve noticed how the people that REALLY knew Jaco, say what a great guy he was. His "antics" ,ego and false bravado ,for whatever reasons,..seemed to be "another" Jaco. Not the REAL one.. Was that all a "front"? Or was it as it as simple as another rock 'n' roll drugs/booze/fame scenario...? He was a bloody genius. That's a FACT!!!! :)

[@vbassone]

A little of both.

[@soulsax58]

Yes drugs/booze/fame but Jaco also suffered from mental illness on top of all that. Mixing all that up is sadly a recipe for disaster and a life unraveling. Like Charlie Parker sometimes artist that are really above and beyond are operating in a different space mentally and physically than is normal. Both had their flame on high and burned out sooner than most.

[@Hiphopdabop]

Bi-polar is a serious sickness

[@geekmeee]

I think no one is perfect. But we all enjoy the results of what these ‘geniuses’ discovered. It’s the ‘results’ they remember.

[@swordsinging1709]

Yeah your comment is bravado. We're all born with a gift it is not the most important thing and people want to highlight it and the accolades, ride the waves etc. The real deal is in the undertones. It's all over this man's perspective of who Jaco was. His choices. The dissonant choral tone Mr Mover left on the table, it hit me like an empty train! Choices. Thank you Mr Mover for sharing the important thing. You left me caring more tonight for Jaco than anything he left behind. Looovve your Neighbor!

[@PierreVeniot]

I remember jamming with you Bob Mover at ''les Beaux Esprits'' in Montréal, we played ''Footprints'' and then you started a bebop tune, that I could not play in the right ''idiom'' as you truly pointed to me, and later on you where adjudicator at my final concert at McGill, we went for a drink afterwards... still struggling with the bebop Idiom, but your advice was very ''sound'' Thanks.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Thanks Pierre. I’m glad that what I told you was of help.

[@jonmanning6637]

What a sweet guy - thanks for the great stories BOB

[@alanizy100]

Appreciate very much this story Mr. Mover. Take care of yourself, God bless you

[@mag1102009]

Great story, Bob! I used to see you play at that wonderful little jazz club on Sunrise Blvd called Bubba's. At the time, Ira Sullivan had the house band. I first heard about Jaco in about 1974 from some musicians I was playing with. They told me there was this cat who could play Charlie Parker licks on the electric bass, at tempo. I remember thinking, "That's not possible." A Year later I saw Jaco with Blood, Sweat, and Tears and understood what they meant, and a lot more. There was some Great jazz in South Florida, back in the day.

[@theelonniedavis]

Amazing Jaco and BS&T what an experience that must have been. I'll always remember Jaco threatening to bust out on Smoke on The Water doing a WR concert at the intimate Park West in Chicago.

[@patm5086]

Wow, Bubbas! I played there in 1978 with the Ross Emery Band. Bob Shelly ran it.

[@mag1102009]

@@theelonniedavis Mike's Stern was the guitarist, just beginning his jazz journey. It was a great band!

[@mag1102009]

@@patm5086 Ross Emory, That's a name I haven't heard in a long time.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Thank you very much. There have always been great musicians in the Miami / Fort Lauderdale area. But unfortunately very few Jazz venues. Bubba's was one of them.

[@jerrywetherall9612]

Loved the stories and reflections about your experiences with your friend Jaco. I was moved.

[@toddbrittain1060]

Incredibly interesting story Bob, thankyou

[@jerryrobertsguitars]

Hi Bob, Likely you don’t remember me. I am Jerry Roberts near Nashville. I was at university of Miami 1966 to 1970 majoring in classical guitar. Around 1969 and 70 my roommate was bob levittan. He was friends with all the jazz people. I met you a few times and even attempted to play some 251s For you to improvise over in a practice room. I Met a black trumpet player there who called himself boot. I have no idea what ever became of him. I drove over to hear Ira sullivan and Joe Diorio numerous times. Weather report played here in Nashville back in the day and I went to hear them. I guess Jaco was the bass player there. Cheers, Jerry

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Of course I remember you and your fantastic playing of Bach on guitar. Also , of course I remember “Wild Turkey!”Too. Do you ever hear from Bob Levitan? Please feel free to call me at :917 593 6199. I’d love to talk to you.

[@svenjansen2134]

Wow

[@tcorman]

Thanks for this maestro - I wish we could've heard you together, and his arc was tragic, but the story deserves to be told.

[@opticscolossalandepicvideo4879]

He never helped jaco when jaco was homeless

[@johngill8851]

this is such an amazing video, thanks bob

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Thank you very much. It is a beautiful story, but it's too bad it ended so sadly. Wish I could change the ending.

[@Dragonqueencreations]

Thank you for sharing this 💜

[@lisathomas5719]

Loved your video and I feel the same way. I am an older woman and i wish i would have realized this after decades of low pay /hard work that can injure or kill you/ outrageous student loan debt/ that one or several ppl who abuse you. ❤

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Thank you and we are glad you enjoyed the show.

[@Harbaksh1234]

Thank you for sharing your stories. All the best, Sir.

[@unforgettablejazzfusion5546]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@franktabata5530]

Really enjoy listening to you reminisce. We met years ago (1976-77) at Arturo’s on Houston St. I sang with you once or twice. Artie told me who you were. It was an honor. I remember that candy store/ after hours place you talked about. Kind of a strange place. Stay well brother.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Yes. Arturo's ... those were the days. Arturo's was quite a place, and Artie was a gem. The after hours place on Sullivan Street by day was a soda fountain, where kids would go there after school to buy Cokes and candy bars. At night after midnight, it turned into a real speakeasy with Freddy at the bar with Coke bottle glasses, who never forgot anyone's name, presiding over the action. In fact, the "Candy Store" as we called it was the last place where Jaco Pastorius and I hung out.

[@michaelalazar6703]

BOB it's great to hear from you I guess one can say no one knows him better than you. Let me share this short story of Jaco, as I was driving my nyc yellow cab on crowded bleaker street in west village Manhattan I was stoped by a man there and he said to hi do you mind if wait my girl friend is coming out from the grocery store an I said sure no problem. He said I am Jaco and shook my hand and I said Jaco pastorious was you know me and I said Birdland (the great bass lines he played in the album). His girl came in I started driving. On the crowded Bleacker street about two blocks away Jaco points to a cab driver on my side and says he just told me I am off duty. He was a middle white man with glasses he didn't to pick Jaco. Here am black guy picking him up. My observation any one I ny would cursed or said bad thing to the driver. BUT Jaco never said any thing. Well dropped them at first Ave around 21 or 22 street. Jaco was not only a great Bassist a good guy. Thanks.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Yeah, Jaco was a sweet cat, and we had fun and shared some humorous moments together as well. He was a kind man, and I could say he never hurt anyone but himself. Thanks for your nice story.

[@ajadrew]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with Jaco - my Mother introduced me to Jaco through Hejira & I was amazed at that sound!

[@svenjansen2134]

My thoughts are with you. I can't stand Joni Mitchell. Jaco forever

[@primeanalogrecords]

Really nice tribute! Fun hearing all of your stories about Jaco and yourself! I’m about to do a video showcasing all of my Jaco vinyl records!

[@brandonkatona7734]

Thank you so much for sharing these stories!

[@tigerscott2966]

Cool. My brother played bass all by ear - professlionally for 30 years. He was a lot like Jaco always had his bass with him and always trying new things on bass.

[@louiskremer2000]

Thank you very much! Videos like these are gems

[@tommeggison1466]

Beautiful stories Bob.

[@jamiepastman5594]

Thank you for sharing this maestro

[@rembeadgc]

Heartwarming and touching. Very sincere. Appreciate your sharing.

[@Hakulanni]

Great stories, Bob. Jaco, there was Electric Bass before and then there was Electric Bass after Jaco. I hope that you Bob, are doing well.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

That's quite true, and thanks for the good wishes.

[@tomarikawa]

that was a STORY! well, a documentary. 🙏

[@wadebayliss]

thanks for sharing your story .

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Glad I watched this interview. Really sad about Jaco.

[@muonani]

Great. Thank You, Mr Mover.

[@normanlovesirsaxalot2991]

I finally saw Mover in a video from the 60s..A really fine sax player.

[@patm5086]

The lions share was at Miami gardens drive and 441.

[@raymondruiz1843]

What a very sad ending. Good afternoon Mr. Bob, Wow! It really touched my heart, I'm a musician myself but a musician for God I play in a Pentecostal Church, I was grew up that way. But when I was growing up, I would like hear music out of Church, I would see musical tv shows like American Band Stand, Soul Train and so on, now I'm a adult, I like to go back and find out how are the musicians and singers that I use watch and hear, and really it breaks my heart how these human being get involved in these evil behavior and de. I wanted find about who was Jaco and look what I found out, well what can we do? Give them advices and help before it's too late, God bless you always my friend.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

May God bless you too, and thank you. There are many tragic stories in the Jazz world as in life. One can only pray to God to give them the human guidance, therapy and medication, etc. that can help them.

[@jackscruffy]

Bob, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this. Like sitting down with a friend and telling stories. I am Jack Gregg, bassist American in Paris. We met at the Sunset Club in Paris. Make more videos Bob; You have stories to tell and you tell them well. Bless you brother.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Jack, Great to hear from you. Of course I remember you. Hope that you’re doing well. Are you still in Paris. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I just learned how to reply to people from this”comments “ page. Thanks

[@jackscruffy]

Yo Bob, thanks for answering. I'm still in Paris - can't imagine living any place else. I loved my New York years and the oppurtunities to play and learn with so many good musicians. In my time anybody with serious desire to learn and play had to pass some time in NYC. Maybe that has changed.What do you think? Keep the Faith Bro! Jack@@bobmoverjazzability

[@bobmoverjazzability]

@@jackscruffy Yeah Jack , New York has changed considerably. America has ( the US I mean). Because I have COPD ( Thank God I can still play!) I hardly leave my pad. If I didn’t have two beautiful young daughters ( 15 and 8 years old) that live very close by with my ex, my present wife and I would be long gone .Fortunately we live in a beautiful apartment in Battery Park City that overlooks the Marina and the Hudson. Fear of Covid also keeps me housebound. But even if it weren’t for these things I still wouldn’t go out much. The days of Bradley’s and the Vanguard are gone and the younger cats are just , for the most part , not my scene. There are a few who are mostly students of mine that I have relationships with. In fact one of them , a young bassist named Kyle Colina Weill be coming to Paris for a few gigs next week. He’s leaving Monday and I’m sure you would enjoy meeting each other. I’d like to get your phone number for him to call you. You can give it to me through calling or texting me at(001)917 593 6199. I would love talking with you and can call you right back, as I have a good phone plan, in case you may not. Hope to hear from you Jack. Thanks, Bob

[@jackscruffy]

@@bobmoverjazzability Yo

[@jackscruffy]

Yo Bob, I called you Sunday and left a message with my phone number. Did you not get it?

[@juaneid5359]

Great story!

[@davemilnes1147]

So moving and respectful - thanks for putting this out there!

[@bassistfranklin]

TX for the story gr from amsterdam

[@janegrassmarket1414]

Priceless info Bob. 😥

[@lauriebluesguy]

Loved that, thank you.

[@adamisaac4685]

Thanks Man!

[@billytheweasel]

Greateful.

[@luke125]

Jaco’s debut album came out in 1976

[@andyokus5735]

I had a bass teacher named John Mason in Boca Raton in 1977. He told me you two were supposed to do a week at Bubba's but it didn't pan out. I've got really horrible stories about Jaco coming to St. Augustine in September 1984 a month before I moved there. By the way my first pro band was with Bobby Herzog Jaco's drummer in " Woodchuck ". He also wrote " Come on Come Over " which was nothing but a E7 groove until Jaco redid it all and getting majority of the royalties.

[@patm5086]

Andy, did you know Kim brunch,bobby Abernathy, chuck and Scott Kirkpatrick.

[@andyokus5735]

@@patm5086 Sorry doesn't ring any bells.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

Around '84 was the time that Jaco who didn't even smoke a joint, started to use cocaine and alcohol. This brought about a big change in his personality.

[@andyokus5735]

@@bobmoverjazzability I started playing gigs in Ft. Lauderdale in 1978 with a bunch of guys who grew up with Jaco. I always missed meeting him by a day here and there. I moved to St.Augustine October 3rd 1984. Jaco had just left St. Augustine after spending most all of September there. Smoking a joint? No man he was full blown psychotic. He would play ina club for a bottle of tequila. He sat in the town square with a little ghetto blaster and a cardboard sign that said " This is me on this tape". It was " Heavy Weather". The saddest thing was he was on the cover of Bass Player magazine that month. I can only say I'm glad to see it him play with Weather Report in March '77 in St. Petersburg Florida. He was such a genius then.

[@user-rm5ww5hx9y]

Thank you. Darn E7, tho.

[@svenjansen2134]

Everything starts with an E.

[@PatriotSteve]

When I spoke to Bob he mentioned he would tease Jaco about playing a four stringed instrument, which led me to think that Jaco, being the performer that he was, put a great amount of pressure on himself to out-do himself each year. Between the need to surpass previous performances, plus the emotional rollercoaster he was on, then add drugs and alcohol to the mix…. It was a toxic cocktail that caused him to self destruct.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

First of all, thank you for your interest, but I never teased Jaco about playing a four-stringed instrument. I teased him when he would call himself the world's greatest bass player. I would tell him that he was probably the world's greatest electric bass player, which was like being the Flyweight champion of the world, in boxing. He would always chuckle at my attempt at humor.

[@mattfoley6082]

@@bobmoverjazzability Huge Jaco fan here and bass player. I agree with you that Jaco was the greatest electric bassist when he was alive but there were some upright players who were likely better, for example, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen.

[@bobmoverjazzability]

@@mattfoley6082 there were many in those days. Listen to the interview with Ron McClure, and see how many of these cats you recognize. Of course, Jaco was one of one.

[@billepperson2662]

4:17 You "MAY" have fired the greatest bass player to ever live, THEN DIScouraged him from moving to NY to gig huh? Crazy... Oh, and since you asked for the year his 1st record came out & I'm not seeing people falling over each other in the comments to answer; that woulda been around 75/76... Thanks for sharing this! Incredible story!

[@bobmoverjazzability]

First of all he acted like a jerk for which I fired him from, and when we later became friends, we both apologized for our immature attitudes. We were both 16 years old at the time. As far as advising him not to come to NY, I was aware, of his extremely sensitive nature and worried about his ability to handle the pressure of NYC life. Unfortunately, I was kind of right. In his final days he was having quite a public nervous breakdown that I think this pressure of being in NY triggered. I never doubted that Jaco would be successful, but I did worry about how his overly sensitive nature, which some would have interpreted as signs of mental illness, would handle success.

[@vbassone]

Jaco was born on December 1, 1951, not January.

[@frankdavino7187]

Lolllll

[@rafaelesparza4110]

All the musicians around Jaco watched him deteriorate and did nothing. Musicians are egomaniacs and rarely think about anybody but themselves. "I wanted to help Jaco...but my girl was tired so we just left." Typical musician.

[@gilnicbobby]

Take it from someone who has family with mental illness. If a person doesn’t want help, you’re practically powerless to do much of anything.

[@scottlucas9551]

Please don't throw all musicians under the bus. I lost a friend/musician to mental illness.

[@svenjansen2134]

Not all of us.

[@Steve-mp7by]

Drugs destroyed another genius

[@opticscolossalandepicvideo4879]

Bob did zero zilch to help his great friend jaco. What a terrible thing to pretend to be his friend and then do nothing to help him. Jaco fans from Tokyo to Miami despise jacos so called friends who did nothing to help him including you Bob mover and Petey erskine Jaco lived in Washington square park homeless and you did nothing to help him. You were not his friend if so you didn’t help him 😢

[@PatriotSteve]

He wasn’t close with him like that. He’d run into him every couple of years.