R.I.P. Joe
I am going to confess that I was never a particular fan of the seminal jazz band Weather Report. I mean, I was aware of them and I played their music during the days when I worked at the jazz radio station. I didn’t dislike them or anything, but there is just such a diverse plate to choose from when it comes to jazz that it becomes impossible to appreciate and listen to all of it.
Still, I knew the name of Joe Zawinul. He was the influential electronic keyboard player who helped bring that synthesizer sound to jazz. He was villified by some, but some of us appreciated it. As a fan of Miles Davis, it would be impossible not to appreciate his contribution to “Bitches Brew” which was one of the most influential albums in all of music, let alone jazz, during the latter half of the twentieth century.
Joe passed away, unfortunately, this week. In fact, he passed away on September 11.
Joe not only played with Miles on that particlar album, but he also played with Miles on “In a Silent Way” which is another fantastic Miles Davis album. He also played with Cannonball Adderly, yet another of my all-time favorite jazz musicians.
Joe was most famous for forming Weather Report with horn player Wayne Shorter. They released some great albums and just because I was not into them, does not mean you shouldn’t be. In fact, you should probably go right now to your nearest music store or music download site and look up some Weather Report albums. I am sure you will appreciate them.
Joe was instrumental in the jazz/fusion scene. Whether or not you are a fan of that kind of music is up to you. I personally feel that any form of experimentation when it comes to music is welcomed and important. If it isn’t your cupe of tea, rather than denouncing it, I say just appreciate the freedom that music allows and understand that others may like it a lot.
Joe was loved by a lot of jazz fans and musicians. He was close with the jazz great Herbie Hancock.
Joe had a rare form of skin cancer. After a six-week European tour, in August, he was hospitalilzed in Vienna. He passed away very quickly.
The jazz world will miss him. Music fans may not appreciate his contributions, but they should.
Rest in peace, Joe.
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