Jaco Pastorius, the beloved musical master, has passed away on September 21, 1987, at the age of 35. Jaco was renowned for his incredible bass playing work, trumpeting a fresh and revolutionary approach to the instrument. Born John Francis Pastorius III on December 1, 1951, Jaco was born into a musical family in Norristown, Pennsylvania. After an early introduction to upright bass, Jaco quickly picked up the instrument and soon created his own unique, fusion-based, jazz-funk style. During his short but illustrious career, Jaco worked with some of the biggest names in music—from Weather Report and Brian Melvin, to Pat Metheny and Joni Mitchell—his performances illuminated all of them. As a solo artist, he was equally successful, resulting in the immortal albums Jaco Pastorius, Word of Mouth, and Invitation. His premature death cast a long shadow on the music world, as his innovative style and fervent playing suggested he could have achieved much more had he lived. His memory, impact, and never-ending inspiration for the bass community remain with us today, for as long as the music lives.