Jaco Pastorius Big Band
Heads Up, 2006, CD
Instrument: Guitar
Issue: 12.1
Jazz Ruler Type: Fusion
Performance: 5
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: This is a fusion big band that truly lives in the spirit of Jaco. The open with “Dania” and bassist Gerald Veasley sets the stage surrounded by the power of a brassy large ensemble including Randy Brecker (t) and Bob Mintzer (ts). They also possess the power of swing on the Latin beats of “Las Olas” with Toots Thielemans harmonica. Then there’s the super, funky, syncopated “Beaver Patrol” that really rocks with both Victor Wooten (b) and guitarist Hiram Bullock’s solos. These few justify the price of the CD alone but they show yet more dimension relaxing the pace a bit with “Cannonball” and then performing Jaco’s “Three Views Of A Secret” with a stunning bass intro from Oteil Burbridge. Lots of Jaco’s best compositions performed by today’s best equal a stunning performance!
