Renowned as the most important electric bassist in the history of jazz, Jaco Pastorius was a revolutionary figure in modern music. He not only drastically changed the position and function of the bass in popular music, but he stands as a true original, unlike anyone who came before him and influencing everyone who followed. Ultimate Jaco Pastorius traces the highlights of his career, beginning with Charlie Parker's Donna Lee from his self-titled debut recording on Epic. To most music fans, Jaco is known through his work with the groundbreaking and hugely successful jazz group, Weather Report. Jaco's Barbary Coast and perhaps his best-known composition, Teen Town, exhibit his astounding contributions to one of the most important bands in the history of jazz. Jaco's association with Joni Mitchell was a musical marriage made in heaven, as exhibited by Jaco's tantalizing bass playing and brilliant arrangement on The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines. Upon signing on with Warner Bros. in 1980, Jaco created the masterpiece Word of Mouth, which adeptly fuses the various styles and sounds that have informed his music. Jaco's classic compositions 3 Views of a Secret and Liberty City in addition to his brilliant treatment of Lennon & McCartney's Blackbird are featured here. Finally, Jaco took the band on the road, which was documented on the live recordings Invitation and The Birthday Concert. To hear classic Pastorius vehicles like Invitation and Soul Intro/The Chicken in a live setting is truly astounding. Whether you are a longtime fan of his or need a perfect introduction to Jaco's breathtaking talent, Ultimate Jaco Pastorius is the perfect career overview, the Best of the Best of the Greatest Bass Player in the World.