Weather Report's Joe Zawinul Dead at 75

The following is personal, and will likely only touch music enthusiasts: the legendary keyboard player Joe Zawinul died today at the age of 75.

As reported by the Associated Press (no emphasis needed):

Joe Zawinul, the jazz keyboardist who soared to fame as one of the creators of jazz-rock fusion with the band Weather Report, has died, a hospital official said. He was 75.

The article continued:

Zawinul died early Tuesday, a spokeswoman for Vienna's Wilhelmina Clinic said, without giving details. He had been hospitalized since last month and suffered from a rare form of skin cancer, said Risa Zincke, his manager, according to the Austria Press Agency.

Zawinul won acclaim for his keyboard work on chart-topping Miles Davis albums such as "In A Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew," and was a leading force behind the so-called "Electric Jazz" movement.

In 1970, Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter founded Weather Report and produced a series of albums including "Heavy Weather," "Black Market," "I Sing the Body Electric," and the Grammy-winning live recording "8:30."

He is credited with bringing the electric piano and synthesizer into the jazz mainstream, but was frustrated by the lack of respect for electric keyboards and new technology among jazz purists.

As I was just notified by my brother of Joe's passing, I am actually quite stricken with tears. As I can't yet do so, Marc has written a tribute to Joe that is must-reading for all those who were touched by this man's marvelous vision.

Rest in peace, Joe. You made my life much better, and it suddenly seems much worse without you.

*****Update: My friends on the other side of the aisle at Crooks and Liars have joined me this evening in a wonderful display of bipartisanship to celebrate Joe's marvelous contributions to music.

*****Update II: Black Market was one of my favorites by Weather Report. This isn't really a great version (video here), but it highlights nicely the virtuosity of Jaco Pastorius and Wayne Shorter.

*****Update III: Teen Town.

*****Update IV: Waterfall.

*****Update V: Very early stuff.