Joni Mitchell talks about the greatest bass player Jaco Pastorius

interview with Joni Mitchell, Jonas Hellborg, Flea, Bootsy Collins, Carlos Santana, Steve Bailey, etc
clips taken from Jaco: The Film and Joni Mitchell
the bass player of Metallica, Robert Trujillo presents: JACO: THE FILM
www.JacoTheFilm.com
0:00 God must be a boogie man (album: Mingus)
0:00 Edith and the Kingpin (Shadows & Light)
1:26 Hejira
2:42 Talk To Me (album: Don Juan's Reckless Daughter)
3:40 In France They Kiss on Main Street (Shadows & Light)
9:10 Continuum - Jaco's son
9:40 Jaco's original version of Continuum
10:29 teen town - weather report
14:07 Continuum (Jaco Pastorius) cover by Rodrigo y Gabriela

[@tomlew55]

One of the greatest videos ever made was Joni's "Shadows and Light" with Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, Jaco Pastorius, Michael Brecker Don Alias and Lyle Mays. They performed a masterpiece.

[@VintageBassArchive]

i uploaded that with the best quality on KZbin (and subtitles) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqOkpGpjgblpjKcsi=I4fayIdkMt9H_nXR

[@louise_rose]

Practically no singer active today could hope to assemble such an amazing and star-studded backing band for a tour. The music industry today doesn't allow it.

[@funkyalfonso]

I was a big fan of Weather Report and had been listening to the Shadows and Light album for years but that concert video was the first time I actually saw Jaco play. Joni had the greatest musicians backing her. And it's still on youtube.

[@obus4186]

Metheny is a superb musician, but a little distortion once in a while wouldn't hurt

[@tomlew55]

@@funkyalfonso There's some Weather Report videos out there and Jaco doesn't disappoint.

[@chizmo7]

Hejira is a MUST HAVE album. It is absolutely amazing on many levels. The planets aligned for that record.

[@sillyreallyable]

... a picture of one blue, motel room ... Away from many of life's middleclass circumstances ... They must had been lovers, at least ... Soulmates ... Once Jaco left, Joni seemed not to be interested in giving, not like be4 ... The "Mingus" album was their mutual full circle ... God Bless Jaco ... or ... A God less. While ...Joni is a survivor , a traveller... It is never easy to be brave ...

[@eldoabrahamson]

​@@sillyreallyableWhat the hell are you talking about

[@rockman4699]

Every Joni Mitchell album is a must have. If you like Jaco, have you checked out Joni's Don Juan's Reckless Daughter? Jaco bumped up his tracks on the album without Joni's knowledge. Can't remember how she put it but it was something like she is singing on Jaco's songs or something like that.

[@fredfeinberg3995]

To me, it's literally the best popular album ever made. It is through-composed: literally a travelogue populated by the most amazing cast of characters, poetry on the level of a Dylan Thomas, harmonies you've never heard but that work perfectly, and Jaco's astonishing bass. "Blue" is a phenomenal collection of songs, but "Hejira" is, well, it's genius.

[@therealjimvick]

Assuming you’ve heard Court and Spark. She did nothing but get better. Pushing boundaries. Breaking barriers.

[@jaco5187]

Pat Metheny said it best: "I wish people would just quit trying to imitate Jaco. That'll never happen again. No one's ever gonna do anything like that again."

[@locadisa]

Bassists have learned from his style as does all good artists that will come after him.

[@benvad9010]

She's an excellent guitarist in her own right.

[@joshb23]

Such a tragic story, such otherworldly brilliance and beauty! Thank goodness Joni tracked him down, I can't imagine that band not existing!! My dear friend and the guitarist in my high school band was walking home from a rehearsal one day in the East Village with his jazz band and they passed a homeless looking guy sitting on the sidewalk, one of them said, "man that looks like Jaco" and the guy yelled, "yeah that's me, the notorious Pastorious!" They stopped, not convinced, but he talked my friend into handing his guitar over... and proceeded to blow their minds. My friend was very shaken by this experience, thrilled and saddened to the core. It's a crazy beautiful world.

[@billbernhard3582]

The passive destruction of enormous promise tends to shatter the myths we tell about 'the poet - the story teller - the musician. Another chapter in the Book !

[@louise_rose]

After he burst onto the stage in 1976 everybody* wanted to have him on their records...Joni was early, of course. One of the oddest things is that a few years later she had ALL of Weather Report, minus Joe Zawinul, as her backing band in the studio. WR had a contract clause at the time that no outside album could have more than one WR member on it. I have no idea how Joni got around that!

[@user-bg4yz1xv7q]

@@louise_rose she's Joni simply put

[@bobf.1180]

Yes Jaco was tragic...but many artistic geniuses share the trait.

[@johnmalenchek6597]

Joanie's work with Pat Methany and Jaco was the pinnacle of her career, in my opinion. Outstanding music on a very high level. Glad I was alive to hear it. No popular music before or after came close

[@patrickkelly5004]

I saw the Shadows and Light tour in Philly in the summer of 1979, and still get goosebumps watching this video. I was knocked out of my seat.

[@feldengatto]

I envy you very very much

[@billbrandine5857]

Wow. That says it all about Joni Mitchell's musical credibility that Pat and Jaco would be so willing to join her as a combo. This is easily one of the best videos I've ever seen on KZbin. Like a national historic document.

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

God, what telepathic understanding of music Jaco had. He never played a sour note when he was at himself, and found his place with anyone, settling exactly where he fit every time. Amazing. His stuff for Joni is among my favorite he ever did.

[@evaayalla9717]

He made you first feel what he felt and changed my musical trajectory at 21, he enhanced my understanding of jazz, he changed my fundamental perception of sound and he graced us with greater appreciation of true musical genius when it infrequently appears in a lifetime. I feel so grateful and lucky to have lived during paco and joni's lifetimes

[@evaayalla9717]

17:56

[@robertbeger4275]

It's been a long time but I don't think I'll ever stop being sad about Jaco's downfall and passing or being grateful for the music he gave us.

[@yuntakukai1002]

I hope you can get over your great tragedy

[@marylouleeman591]

@@yuntakukai1002Our.

[@billwoods9302]

Joni Mitchell has always been an underrated guitarist, perhaps overshadowed by her singing. But in the old days when musicians lived and hung out in Laurel Canyon, Eric Clapton would visit and sit at her feet, marveling at her guitar technique. That band with Pastorius and Metheny were like a jazz super group that in that moment of musical history, were the platinum standard of vocal jazz.

[@brianhanson9367]

Joni jaco and Pat. Wonderful

[@Michaelsmercedes]

I'm in my 40s and never gave Joni a second thought. I'm glad I saved her until my taste was more refined. The full concert video of the one featured here is unbelievable.

[@1FeistyKitty]

there is something about his bass sound and her voice being perfect together. I have listen/watched that live show like 20 times. He is so pitch perfect and fits in perfectly.

[@VintageBassArchive]

I have the best quality of that show here, and I added subtitles ❤

[@1FeistyKitty]

@@VintageBassArchive i hit the sub button -----

[@VintageBassArchive]

@@1FeistyKitty oh nevermind, it seems that video was blocked worldwide

[@VintageBassArchive]

@@1FeistyKitty ah I removed the copyright issue. enjoy

[@thelantern9075]

They were magic together.

[@deeperthandeep]

Special People like Jaco Pastorius come once every 100-250 years!!! SO GLAD I WAS AROUND AT THE SAME TIME TO WITNESS HIS MUSICAL GENIUS!😲😲😲

[@Michaelsmercedes]

Where are you getting those numbers.

[@docwill184]

Saw Jaco with Weather Report, Santa Cruz c. 1975. An everyday excellent concert for Joe's unit; a mind-blowing, never-to-be-forgotten experience for this 25-yr old who'd 'enhanced' the experience w/ some local 'shrooms.

[@tomoconnell4949]

the perfect marriage of styles, where the players all hear an alternate universe of sound. Beautiful colors without a trace of doing stuff to show off; every thing fits but only these guys could find it. THe best I have every heard.

[@davestreet7114]

Coocko bass player. And would not be as good if he wasn't

[@gordiannot77]

Joni and Jaco's playing on the song Hejira is the most intimate thing I've ever heard♥️

[@Auntkekebaby]

💯👏👏👏

[@mglaser6811]

I think the same like you

[@jollyrodgers7272]

Even before I knew who Jaco was, I immediately fell in love with the album Hejira in '76, and still consider it Joni's very best, because of those completely unique sounds of Jaco Pastorius.

[@granthurlburt4062]

Yes. Hejira, Summer Lawns, & Court & Spark are the 3 must haves.

[@skierpage]

​@@granthurlburt4062 Blue!

[@noobstardust5970]

Love them both. Joni and Jaco reached new heights together. Nothing has topped it for me.

[@dumpsterdan57]

It had to be a rare treat to be a jazz-based musician and be appreciated and able to perform with Joni!

[@Him12742]

Been watching this since the early 90’s! One of the greatest concerts ever! The best is Joni smiling ear to ear the whole time! She knew they were killin!

[@louise_rose]

Yes, she looks completely at home with the show and not feeling upstaged at all. Her dignified demeanour is really striking - and this was at a time when it was much more rare with women leading their own band and writing their own music than it would be thirty years later.

[@JSkalman]

I was just thinking, this is clearly one of the greatest of all time. Watched a half dozen times. Jaco, glad to have seen him with Weather Report, Stanley Theater, Pittsburgh, 1979 or 1980ish.

[@louise_rose]

@@JSkalman Yes, it's such an all-star backing band, a phenomenal amount of talent (and genius) gathered on that stage - and they manage to work together seamlessly! I don't think a backing band like that would have been possible to get together for a live tour now, at least not without booking them a couple of years in advance - the music industry has changed so much.

[@YAS6931]

1989 , 1990 , when i heard heavy weather from WR , my life has changed for ever ....

[@billnyc6658]

One of my favorite moments in the movie "The Last Waltz" was when Joni is on-stage with The Band playing "Coyote", and Robbie Robert gives commentray that the members of The Band had trouble keeping up with Joni Mitchell, between the musical range she played at, plus her use of open tuning on the guitar. That's an incredible compliment from one of the best musicians of a band made up of great musicians!

[@oldestgamer]

Never cared for the Band or bobby, sounded so old-timey and hokey, they were no comparison with Joni's band! In the Last Waltz, there is a segment with Joni and bobby and Gordon and the Byrds guy, and they simply cannot keep up with her on Coyote!

[@Lee-mx5li]

My brother knew Jaco very well, Randy, and Jaco would come over for cookouts and Thanksgiving where I remember all of us out front of my mother's house throwing football, great times. Jaco was always very friendly to me.. So sad what happened. RIP Jaco Thanks for the memories....

[@DAODEA]

I love this. I heard the news about Jaco while in a church on Sunday morning. I couldn’t help it, I wept. If anyone has not watched the entire shadows and light concert or heard the record, I highly recommend you do both. Everyone on that stage was on fire.

[@PhyllisFicarrotta-yg1om]

Jaco was one of a kind. We were blessed to have him share his gift with us. RIP Jaco, you brought us so much joy.

[@underthetornado]

I never knew his story until now and I'm 69 years old.....I was working with Henry Lewy in 1984 thinking I knew soooo much in my little music world ..damn!😂❤

[@albertarguelles3262]

This Band was cooking. Man what a tight groove, and what musicianship...

[@DavidMarkun]

I have long thought that some of Hejira is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard a man and a woman do, eg the sequence with "a man and a woman sitting on a rock". Now hearing the interview segments at 0:35 and onward gives me some of the back story of how these artists came together. I'm glad I lived long enough to see this. Thanks, @vintagebassarchive

[@Chuckles..]

Jaco collaborating with Joni on her albums Hejira and Don Juan's Reckless Daughter blew my mind when I was a teenager. Those records still blow my mind.

[@homerofeijo]

shocking for its brightness, shocking for its darkness, but Jaco, always Jaco, the best ever!!!

[@The3fingers]

Outstanding!!!! Jaco and Pat Metheny and Lyle Mayes, and Joni....way over the moon! Outstanding!!!

[@edgarsnake2857]

Great stuff. Thanks. Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays were frequent customers at a music store I co-owned in Cambridge, Ma. They were wonderful guys who loved to talk about music and music gear.

[@stephenh.litman2684]

Joni Mitchell and Jaco Pastorius. Their music what we hear when two musical geniuses add up to even more than the "sum of two parts": it's beyond sublime. I was around when this was happening (at music college), and we were all in awe.

[@thelantern9075]

Jaco and Lyle juggling... wow. The world was different back then. RIP brothers.

[@meredithheath5272]

I know! Who knew how cool those people were; multifaceted, entertaining, and entertained.

[@shastakeys]

Michael Brecker and Pat Metheney being amazed by the spectacle...what a party

[@Ronpedley1]

Lyle and Jaco juggling??!! so amazing. Thanks for this

[@rastapastrychief]

Part of the Jaco documentary that came out a few years ago. I think it’s near the end

[@rasmuslethskjoldan]

Mindblowing. Several shots I hadn’t seen before. Thanks for sharing this.

[@locadisa]

I had no clue until I saw this video in its entirety that Jaco played behind "Little Beaver." I used to love Little Beavers music.... and Timmy Thomas

[@meredithheath5272]

Wow - Jaco, Pat Metheny, and Joni!!!!! I'd forgotten, too, about Jaco; hadn't realized how creative a player he was...

[@GuiitarBilly]

Whenever I spend any time with Joni’s music and singing I’m stunned with by its breathtaking beauty and depth. Every time. Still, all these years later. That this video also celebrates Jaco is a double bonus.

[@bokai77]

06:36 Pat Metheny plays the riff to Phase Dance, a plug to his own music. Then smiles a "did you get it?" type smile to the band.

[@haroldbrooks4235]

I remember ready the small paragraph about his terrible passing in the Philadelphia newspaper. I was in disbelief for a while because he was such a legend in Philly being that he was from the area and got very little coverage.

[@JeraldMYates]

Thank you forever, Jaco, wherever you are ! 😊

[@user-sf6su1pq8u]

Big fan of Joni's music back in the day! Never was a fan of any female singers until I heard her. Never knew till today, Dec. 2023, that was Jaco playing the bass! Thank you VBA for this visual down memory lane! Back in the day we could only hear it on records or the radio. The vinyl's cardboard jacket our only form of information to the creaters... this post was very emotionally moving for me... bless you

[@sheristewart2770]

Joni's phrasing is always such a thrilling ride and impossible to re-create, maybe even for her!

[@kencory2476]

And Joni was so lovely in that video, so 'In charge'. It looked like the other musicians were devoted to her.

[@TimGreig]

Who wouldnt be?

[@christopherkane2842]

Thank you Joni this left me with shivers of gratitude for this legendary soul 🧡❤️💛🧡🩷

[@MikeGervasi]

Yeah..her work expanded once Jaco came into the picture. Fantastic chemistry.

[@johnpendarvis7885]

I saw Weather Report on Halloween night in 1978 in Wash DC. Front row center. It was beyond brilliant, and Jacos' solo spot brought the house down.

[@oldestgamer]

At the Smith Center? I was there too, 8th row center. They had some kind of silver balloon like a flying saucer that flew around and then moved down the middle aisle and, as the band kicked into Black Market, the balloon rose in front of the curtain in synchronicity with the curtain moving up to expose the band.

[@bmuhamad]

Wow, amazingly beautiful things said, sight unseen. The Mingus album, another amazing piece. Thank you. Genius begets genius. 😂 🎉

[@phildirt3]

Music where you can hear everything is ridiculously great

[@kaervin]

I was fortunate enough to see this tour in Edwardsville Illinois. Still say it was one of the best performances I have ever seen! The band was amazing.

[@kennytrezza9930]

Love when Pat throws in American Garage at the end of his solo

[@timothydaniels504]

If you’ve watched Shadows and Light, it’s a trip walking past that outdoor theatre in Santa Barbara. You look at the space and the memories come flooding back.

[@casual.bassist]

Thanks for sharing. There’s footage here I’ve never seen. I saw him live once in SF 1982. Cherished memory.

[@telefunkenyou47]

Some Stars just burn brighter and faster than the others.

[@JohnGauge790]

This was such a magic pairing

[@johnnytoobad7785]

Love the Joni Mitchell "Mingus" album.

[@Jeanbeaugeste]

Pat Metheny with Jaco accompanying Joni, rock n rolling ! you can't beat that !

[@tonysams7261]

Thanks Rob for making this happen! 🤘

[@tonywtyt]

Thank you, Joni and her players!!!!

[@j.franknash8989]

There are people who are not meant for longevity because their star is too bright and it burns out like a Nova, however what they do lasts forever, Jaco was one of those people.

[@Fender73472]

Jaco G.O.A.T ❤

[@sclogse1]

We went to a simple little club in Tiberon Ca. where Jaco was playing. We were jazzbos, and hit all he clubs in the bay area, but never there before. We walked up, it was still light outside, and there was Jaco outside the front door, picking his nose. Really working it. I think the gig was really the keyboardist's. This was a really casual thing..no hype, no big lines..just a place where he was playing. And of course, it looked like he picked up that bass in a pawn shop after a fire. Oddly enough, many years later I befriended a fellow named Riki Chen, who said he was posted as Jaco's bodyguard, (but really to watch over him) on an east coast gig. I met Riki in the cafes in North Beach. He busked, and was occasionally nuts. He wound up in my short film noir, which is on youtube as Bum Rap Andre Hunt.

[@Lakridza67]

Jaco, we miss you so much💔🙏🏼😭😭😭

[@VintageBassArchive]

i recommend this KZbin video: "Jaco Pastorius - Complete 1st solo bass set at Berliner Jazztage in 1979 KZbin · Music Universe Aug 25, 2020

[@Lakridza67]

@@VintageBassArchive thank you🫶🏻

[@PatriotSteve]

An unnecessary tragedy. The world lost an amazing talent when Jaco left us.

[@madeleinemetalmusic]

I know and he was only 31.

[@thatanti-egoguy]

Unfortunately didn't make it out the other side. Wouldn't have been who he was otherwise though.. Just the cards that were dealt

[@fmtfniuprog8029]

I read that security guard Luc Havan was released for good behavior...🤔

[@toddbrittain1060]

@@madeleinemetalmusic 35

[@johncaldwell881]

❤❤

[@SedonaMTB]

Wow, great music.

[@bmuhamad]

Most pleasant. I'm officially a Joni Mitchell Fan. 😂🎉❤

[@williamrobinson7061]

There's something about this that makes me want to cry. I like to hear Joni speak well of Jaco.

[@meredithheath5272]

❤🙏🙏

[@HERNANPARAVICART]

With this amazing post, I begin to follow yr'channel: they -both- Jaco & Joni, are my top 10 musician of my life soundtrack: CONGRATS! (for ever)!!!!

[@mauriceortiz8817]

It seems so unfair that Jaco is no longer around. It's criminal that he didn't flourish further. We all lost when he was murdered.

[@antiv]

What a gem of a vid. Fanx for posting this. ❤

[@vincesoder3284]

The world is like a ride in an amusement park, and when you choose to go on it you think it's real because that's how powerful our minds are. The ride goes up and down, around and around, it has thrills and chills, and it's very brightly colored, and it's very loud, and it's fun for a while. Many people have been on the ride a long time, and they begin to wonder, "Hey, is this real, or is this just a ride?" And other people have remembered, and they come back to us and say, "Hey, don't worry; don't be afraid, ever, because this is just a ride." And we … kill those people. "Shut him up! I've got a lot invested in this ride, shut him up! Look at my furrows of worry, look at my big bank account, and my family. This has to be real." It's just a ride. But we always kill the good guys who try and tell us that, you ever notice that? And let the demons run amok … But it doesn't matter, because it's just a ride. And we can change it any time we want. It's only a choice. No effort, no work, no job, no savings of money. Just a simple choice, right now, between fear and love. The eyes of fear want you to put bigger locks on your doors, buy guns, close yourself off. The eyes of love instead see all of us as one. Here's what we can do to change the world, right now, to a better ride. Take all that money we spend on weapons and defenses each year and instead spend it feeding and clothing and educating the poor of the world, which it would pay for many times over, not one human being excluded, and we could explore space, together, both inner and outer, forever, in peace. Bill Hicks

[@nealklein3181]

Thank you. I needed that... and for keeping his words and ideas alive. And for the hope and faith that not all are walking dead.

[@marionodom9585]

Three unique exemplary musicians on the same stage!

[@danevans5823]

There was no music like this then and certainly no music now.Fortunatly we can celebrate this great concert and so many more on audio and video.She is past beautiful on this day,shining brighter than the sun.

[@jonstein6868]

Everlasting inspiration from a sadly troubled genius. Thanks always Jaco 🙏🏽

[@meredithheath5272]

❤👏🙏🙏🙏

[@aleleeinnaleleeinn9110]

OH JACO!! Absolutely.

[@Netlife-001]

Even the credits are epic.

[@skierpage]

That's the credit sequence from the Jaco documentary that Robert Trujillo (Metallica's bass player) made.

[@nelsonlugo3634]

Ya left me wanting more dam it! Rest in peace Jaco.✌🏻🎸

[@locadisa]

Took a trip to Oakland park(fla) to see his mural. Off of a busy street. They could have placed it in a bigger park.

[@fidge54]

Place a mural?

[@locadisa]

@fidge54 Yes. A Mural. He used to live in Broward County Florida so they had an artist paint a side wall of him in a small park.

[@fabriziovincitorio9377]

Joni Mitchell is the greatest songwriter of the planet.

[@PlymouthVT]

Herjiira has the most amazing bass tracks you will ever hear. Magnificent album.

[@pretorious700]

The opening chords to Coyote always put a lump on my throat. It's so beautiful and ethereal.

[@dario1837]

I wish this documentary lasted a lot longer

[@VintageBassArchive]

the full Jaco documentary is on KZbin somewhere. with Spanish subtitles or something.. also @realcut made a second documentary

[@stangovers7441]

I saw him play with Weather Report. Greatest music and bass playing that I ever heard.

[@bb1111116]

Hejira is one of the greatest singer songwriter albums every made.

[@bmuhamad]

Absolutely, lovely.

[@mattfoley6082]

10:15 That's the observation tower in Valley Forge park circa 1972 (Mary was born in 1970). I used to climb it as a kid so now I can say Jaco and I climbed the same steps!

[@moopjas00]

so cool

[@rickobrien1583]

Ya he was from Norristown that is a hop skip from Valley forge park

[@johnheath4305]

Giant Steps?😊

[@huron531]

A serious band and a great song.

[@robertjason6885]

Tremendous vid, and tribute Joni sharing the spotlight with these once in a lifetime musicians…. She sang he ass off consequently.

[@maaritkoutonen7670]

He was such an extraordinary human being.

[@johnmccann8319]

Perfect combination!

[@Sietsefiets]

Ahhh those were the days. 😊

[@bostonaudi]

Shadows and Light blows you away from the first note. This band fully realizes these songs - Pats playing always at the top, and Jaco is basically bass, keyboards and horns with all the harmonic embellishments, genius.

[@alexandremello6913]

The GOAT.

[@brianmi40]

Wow, can't get the image of Lyle Mays juggling with Jaco as Pat Metheny watches! 11:00 Hard to believe on Pat is left.

[@davethomas6952]

Great reaction from a beautiful woman.....yet so a Illy. Love it ❤ David Thomas/Enid, Oklahoma

[@jcamp348]

Really wish I could have met Jaco and jammed with him! I really love his bass playing and I just know I could have really jammed some nice grooves with him. I'm sure everyone would have loved to play with him. I just hope he knows how much he was appreciated. One of only a few good decent humans!

[@simpleagain1]

Musicians simply on another level than the rest of us. That’s a special special place to be

[@livy1962]

Possibly THE most beautiful album ever made. Jaco was best when in the supporting role, IMHO.