Marcus Miller remembers Jaco Pastorius at the JZ festival

"So you're the little black kid who plays like me" - Marcus Miller looks back on his relationship with his hero and friend Jaco Pastorius at the JZ festival in Shanghai

[@JonesTonesGuitar]

You know you’re good when you get a call at 18 to play with Weather Report! 😂

[@vincentm614]

I saw this a couple of years ago and dug it. As an African American I can attest to the fact that Jaco has always been looked up to and respected by many black musicians as a true bass innovator.

[@loganpearson9206]

Marcus is class act. Showed lots of respect To his peers and teachers. You could tell he really loved Jaco.very cool . I respect him even more.

[@perrins57]

Loved Marcus' story, continued to show Jaco respect even after he got a little wild. That's character right there.

[@jacomans9078]

Marcus seems like a cool guy, he didn’t say a bad word about Jaco, even during Jacos difficult time Marcus kept it respectful, two pros.

[@tina.singh27]

Jaco Pastorius, my favorite and best ever bass player in the world. And then Marcus Miller, my second favorite and also one of the best bass player nowadays, am blessed having seen him couple of times in Montreux jazz festival in Switzerland. Rest in Peace Mr Pastorius and thank you for your music 🙏 you were a gift of God to us, but you were too good for this world. Forever in my ❤️

[@ericwilhelm2941]

There is and will be nobody like Marcus ..... And there only is ONE Jaco ... These are amazing words of wisdom from Marcus ....and as always his beautiful sense of humor is present .

[@abs117a]

Two NICE GUYS!!!! So wonderful of Marcus to tell this story! LOVE your music!

[@cmrdeaconblues]

Beautiful story by Marcus. I was privileged to have connected, albeit momentarily, with Jaco. One afternoon I went to buy tickets for his show later that evening in Pittsburgh, PA., at a now defunct club called Graffiti, back in the mid 80's. When me and my buddy entered, right there in the lobby area was Jaco and his band just chillin'. His girlfriend, who I got to meet was there too! Jaco was playing with this basketball, dribbling, spinning it, etc. He looked at me me and threw me the basketball and said "you coming to the show tonight?" I said, "yep!" We talked to he and his band for a few minutes. He was one cool dude! Little did I know that he wouldn't be with us much longer... Marcus's story sounds EXACTLY like the guy I met! Both musicians are one of a kind! I will always miss Jaco..

[@Monkeypole]

Nice story man. If I could choose to meet and see live two musicians that I no longer can it would be Jaco and Ray Charles.

[@LivinginLosAngeles-re5yx]

Great story. ❤

[@ericwilhelm2941]

Probably the most important part of Marcus Miller is , how well he has it together . In other words , he is an Old Soul . He is always Respectful . First time i've heard his sound was on 'Casino Lights ' He was very young and played with such maturity . we are very lucky to live in the same Chapter in Time of Music and witness his greatness !

[@DiogoBaeder]

One big lesson we can get from this interview is that a human being can be an amazing musician, but still be humble an kind. What a great man Marcus is. And I'm glad I had the chance to see this guy live for once in my life.

[@CooManTunes]

Uhhhh...anybody can be amazing at anything they put their mind towards, and still be humble and kind. I'm just as/or even more fascinated by a successful doctor who saves peoples lives for 80+ hours a week, yet remains humble and kind.

[@zdave6083]

Yeah but...the majority of genius musicians are a- holes in one way or another. Humility is overrated.

[@Yodelinthegully-d7r]

Listening to Marcus I can’t help thinking he’s probably one of the nicest and most humble people out there.

[@artysanmobile]

Joe and Jaco were in an everlasting argument, resulting in serious anguish for Jaco, likely less so for Joe. During the recording of Word Of Mouth, Jaco would be so ecstatic with our progress he would call Joe, always Joe, and play an excerpt over the phone. Joe’s critiques ranged from ‘not bad’ to ‘what a complete waste’ and, of course devastated Jaco. Eventually I took a strong stand against these late-night calls as they were always the end of the session, and sometimes many days’ sessions. Each of them prodigious writers and gifted players, it was a kind of war from 1976 until Jaco’s death, really sad, totally unnecessary. I understand the motivations but don’t recall either gaining anything from their battle, no epiphanies of music, no spark of creation. I lived this dichotomy for years, endless admiration for both even while blocking the intercourse that always led to pain.

[@johnglynhughes4239]

Tragic. Jaco just wanted one kind word of encouragement from Joe...

[@SHAWVEE]

I like Joe’s music, but the guy was rife with jealousy 👌

[@3340steve]

Thank you for posting this beautiful reminiscence ....Mr. MILLER is so real.

[@PatriotSteve]

Very cool words by Marcus Miller. He is clearly a classy guy.

[@davidwhalen5658]

You are awesome, Marcus Miller. A great player and a gentleman.

[@shkyrbty]

Wow. One hero speaking about another hero. Beautiful.

[@pedroaytawa]

Amazing story. I love both marcus and jaco

[@jooseysmoolay7767]

Jaco was important to all of us, man I wish I could've met him. I was 12 when he passed and was heavy into W.R. and was in my school jazz band. I had high hopes of some day playing with him.

[@roncarroll1518]

Marcus is simply a great musician and person.

[@mrdefinitely8769]

Marcus Miller is the reason why I got interested in Jaco (beyond the superficial level). Marcus Miller is his own player but when I heard/read his glowing words about Jaco it made me want to learn more. So beyond his own stuff, I owe Marcus this bit of gratitude.

[@OractheIII]

Jaco was on another level- wow Respect. True love for life and music

[@rillloudmother]

Marcus is such a good person.

[@opticscolossalandepicvideo4879]

He isn’t shit compared to jaco 😊

[@tedboulds566]

What terrible comments, there will never be another Jaco. There will never be another Marcus Miller. We don’t need more clones, we need more originals!!!​@@opticscolossalandepicvideo4879

[@Jojomusic007]

I like the way he is telling this story...

[@KrupaDrums]

Very heartfelt, respect.

[@JamesMaurer]

If I could love this video I would. That's one guy I wish I could have seen or said hi to. Thank you for sharing Marcus

[@kylebuffo796]

"Why do you let the crazy guy play on your amp" "It's Jaco Pastorius"... It's Jaco Pastorius

[@spark_6710]

What a sweet & funny , precious story! A good story teller!

[@MrMusicguyma]

The best musicians share the love. Marcus is one of them ;)

[@TheBartostock]

Wow. Great video!

[@embassyhotel]

very cool interview.

[@sabadoadrianovich]

¡Humble! Respect 4 Marcus!!!

[@omko73]

marcus is a good human being

[@perogrullo5702]

omko73 how the fhhk do you Know That?

[@jacocharzukanamericanautho2422]

Yeah he is one of the best bassists of all time.

[@truthlivingetc88]

quite a gent is Miller

[@mitchkahle314]

Thank you Marcus, for sharing your stories.

[@digeratadesign]

what a story. respect

[@muriloninja]

Marcus has such a great vibe!

[@sylart57]

Amazing how such gifted people are brought together by fate, (or whatever you want to call it), to leave such indelible marks on their lives!! Incredible story!!

[@ajadrew]

I had no idea!! Marcus is a great guy..;-))

[@Bassmanfallon]

Beautiful.

[@johnslater8998]

That’s lovely.

[@haisamjab]

Made my eyes wet a bit. I'm so sorry about how Pastorius story went. Marcus Miller is a great person anyway. Those people were living a dream. The world should go back dreaming cause now we're just trapped in the ether dimension

[@kevincssmith]

Jaco and Miles would have been insane!

[@maxabeles]

woah

[@FinnlabelNYC]

😢❤️

[@dreammfyre]

Damn!

[@TheWonderer7]

Awesome story!!

[@jimdemetri8168]

Yea every one turned there back on him . High praise right

[@cw6367]

❤️

[@albertlarroca1271]

Nice story.

[@bobwilliams3376]

Miller Time Marcus

[@ronfeldstein8555]

Must have been very tough replacing Jaco in an iconic group and being that young with those other WR players. I would not want to play "Jaco" for Jaco either if I was a bass player, gotta show him who you are in order to earn his respect. As far as letting the crazy guy plugging in on your gig? Sometimes you just have to go with it. Anything goes. Just don't ruin the gig. I'm sure most of us would be happy to see him do that again.

[@Yodelinthegully-d7r]

Some great people seem like messengers while they’re here then leave far too soon. Jaco and Mozart passed away at 35 and Bruce lee, 32. Of course Bruce’s message was a little different but they all left us with the message that mediocrity is a soul killer. It keeps you safe and rewards you with anonymity.

[@richardtoland2624]

Cool story. Honest.

[@harrybenoit9033]

With all due respect to Marcus--Jaco did not simply die-- he was attacked and murdered --not sure how that case was resolved- perhaps it was manslaughter- Jaco's death- Even after all these years--it still makes me angry-on a lighter note- I got the the pleasure of seeing a weather report concert live--Berkeley Ca-- Greek theater 1981-it was the most powerful performance I ever saw with my own two eyes-- and ears--RIP Jaco

[@svenjansen2134]

We all know what happened.

[@TarmoRiutta]

I wonder if Zawinul would’ve allowed Marcus to start slappining in Weather Report? I might be wrong also.

[@markschwartz3949]

Why did Santana have Jaco thrown off the stage? He also said he didn't know it was Jaco.Thats B.S. They just played together a few months back.Nobody forgets Jaco.This was at the sunrise Musical Theater.I know because I took Jaco with me to the show.Ego's got In the way,I guess.

[@charlescowan6121]

I wonder if jaco knew his time was coming to a close.

[@jamestucker457]

Well Marcus, you're quite a good bassist. Can even play some of his licks. But I knew Jaco senator, and you're no Jaco. But it's nice you kept your own identity, and showed the respect. You have a great body of work all your own.

[@jamesortega8681]

id let jaco plug his bass into my nosrtrils if he wanted to

[@TheSamygamgy]

his nails looks like piano touch....

[@MrGuto]

Why did they make the poor guy hold two giant microphones? That’s so unprofessional.

[@vaughnchauncy8360]

Sounds like jealousy and envy to me no matter you slice it and dice it

[@jazz65]

nice memories Marcus, but please don't just say that he died. We all know what happened that night. It's a big shame that the person who did that only served four months in a jail by claiming that Jaco died cos at that time he wasn't in a such good shape. the medical report say it all.

[@cameronjohnson3529]

What, would you prefer him to say "A few months later, Jaco got beaten into a coma by a bouncer while drunk and manic, trying to kick in the door to the Midnight Bottle Club; after which he fell into a vegetative state and was taken off of life support?" That would have been pretty fucking tactless...

[@ArtGuitarLTX]

Great story! Musicians get it! No hate back then 👍🍻. If you get offended then…. sorry 😂❄️. Grow up😂👍

[@irical100]

Unfortunately, Jaco had serious issues. Brought out/inflamed the absolute worst quality a human being could possess - arrogance. It's all ultimately downhill from there.