Joe Zawinul RIP

[24db]

Jazz pianist Joe Zawinul, founder of 1970s group Weather Report, has died suffering from skin cancer.

The 75-year-old who was credited for bringing the electric piano to mainstream jazz, passed away at his home in Vienna.

Austrian president Heinz Fischer paid tribute the Zawinul, calling him a ‘music ambassador’.

He said in a statement: “As a person and through his music, Joe Zawinul will remain unforgettable for us all.”

During his career Zawinul played with jazz stars including Dinah Washington and Miles Davies.

He formed the Weather Report in the early 1970s and enjoyed his biggest hit - Birdland - in 1977, earning a Grammy for the group. They recently celebrated their 20th anniversary with a European tour.

The artist was due to perform at the La Villette jazz festival in Paris this month, but cancelled due to ill-health.

[sparrow]

It's always sad when such a great artist passes away. I have quite a few Weather Report albums and some of the synth playing by Joe is stunning. He was often shunned by Jazz purists but made some of THE best Jazz fusion records ever.

There was a documentary on about a year ago all about him. It was great to see his home with a small but packed studio of all sorts of synths and keyboards. He will be sadly missed by all his fans. Another rare talent gone.

[rattymouse]

It's always sad when such a great artist passes away. I have quite a few Weather Report albums and some of the synth playing by Joe is stunning. He was often shunned by Jazz purists but made some of THE best Jazz fusion records ever.

There was a documentary on about a year ago all about him. It was great to see his home with a small but packed studio of all sorts of synths and keyboards. He will be sadly missed by all his fans. Another rare talent gone.

"In a Silent Way" will live forever.

[Desert_Voyager]

I would like to hear some of his music featuring the Arp Quadra as I like the string sounds of that synth.

[DITHMAR]

What a great great loss. Joe's feel on the keys where unique and his arrangements in Weather Report will live forever.

RIP Joe

[epsilon75]

Commiserations and respect to JZ................R-I-P

[24db]

What a great great loss. Joe's feel on the keys where unique and his arrangements in Weather Report will live forever.

RIP Joe

for me Joe was the ultimate keyboard player, amazing technique but not at the cost of a simple melody 'when needed'.
Have a listen to 'I'll never forget you', Joe's tribute to his parents, so emotional!

[Desert_Voyager]

I've never heard his stuff, what should I try?

[24db]

I've never heard his stuff, what should I try?

Personally I don't like the stuff he did after Weather Report (the Zawinul Syndicate), so I can't comment about that. But anything from Heavy Weather by WR would give you a good idea of his playing (including their hit 'Birdland'), I rather like their last 3 albums, but especially Sportin Life and This is This (with Carlos Santanna guesting), which contains 'I'll never forget you' and 'China Blues' Wayne Shorter's and Joe's swan song.

http://www.last.fm/music/Weather+Report/This+Is+This

http://www.last.fm/music/Weather+Report/Sportin%27+Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7fOetV0ha4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHIfOgFgkKA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1G0rW7S8-A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PepMDfyqB0

Checkout Omar's drumming on the last clip...stunning technique!

[RemoteViewing81]

I've never heard his stuff, what should I try?

Any album with Jaco Pastorius (bass player) on it. He is why I play the fretless bass to this day.

Very sad to hear of Joe's passing...