Joe Zawinul RIP

Walter Stettner · From: Vienna, Austria

Just got the news that Jazz Legend Joe Zawinul passed away in a Vienna hospital earlier this morning after losing the battle with cancer. He was 75 years old.

Joe (a native of Vienna, Austria, his birthplace is about three walking minutes from where I live) started working in the local Vienna Jazz scene in the 1950s before gaining fame as part of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet and his own formations (Weather Report, of course). His last public appearance was in Vienna also, earlier this summer when he was a part of the opening of the Vienna Summer Festival.

RIP, Joe!

Kind Regards, Walter
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Mike Neer · From: NJ

Truly heartbreaking news. Joe Z was one of my big inspirations. Happy I saw him the many times I did.

IMO, "A Remark You Made" is one of the most beautiful instrumentals ever written. Joe had a way of making synthesizers and electronic keys sound timeless, even though in lesser hands they sound outdated. His playing on all the Cannonball Adderley recordings illustrates what a true soul brother he was, too.
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P Gleespen · From: Toledo, OH USA

Everything Mike Neer just said is absolutely true.

Very sad news to hear.
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Patrick

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

One of the first to take what many
considered artificial instruments,
and make them make real music.
A fine touch on any keyboard.

RIP Joe, nice job.
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DLD, Chili farmer. Plus bananas and papaya too.

Real happiness has no strings attached.
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Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

Wow, that's a real shame. His work with Weather Report and Miles Davis is classic jazz fusion.
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Michael Haselman · From: St. Paul

Best concert I've ever seen in any genre was the original Weather Report with Miroslav, Airto, etc. He was incredible. Sad loss.

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Mercy

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Skip Edwards · From: LA,CA

You took the word right out of my mouth, Stu.
Adios, Joe.

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

I always felt that Last Date was a ripoff of Mercy Mercy Mercy.

Webb Kline · From: Orangeville, PA

Another one of my heroes bites the dust. He is on my short list of major influences. I'll miss him, God rest his soul.

Dennis Olearchik · From: Newtown, PA

the sounds J.Z. created on Heavy Weather were almost sci-fi sounding and yet as Mike says, "A Remark You Made" is a truly beautiful song. I loved that album and often wished I was capable of making such joyful music.

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

A sad day...thanks for everything Joe.

ebb · From: nj

my first ever jazz album was "live at operation breadbasket". it changed my life

Mark Eaton · Posted 11 Sep 2007 5:53 pm

One of the greats, may he rest in peace.

Steel guitar content: Jerry Douglas has recorded at least two Zawinul compositions: "Birdland" on 1994's The Great Dobro Sessions, and a couple years ago, on his most recent album, The Best Kept Secret, a beautiful version of "A Remark You Made."
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Mark

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

My first connection was "In a Silent Way, which I used to put on for hours or days at a crack to try to soak it in. He was such a master at everything he touched. Glad I got to seem him in various configurations over the years. A very sad day indeed. RIP, Joe.

Larry Bartram · From: New Jersey, USA

This is just shattering news. Music has lost one of the greats. The world has lost an ambassador of peace and tolerance.

Thanks for everything, Josef.

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Ernest,Exactly !I've been playing some gigs lately playing standards and mentioned the similarities to our piano player,and he didn't hear it?
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Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Yeah, Birdland; always comes to mind with J.Z.
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DLD, Chili farmer. Plus bananas and papaya too.

Real happiness has no strings attached.
But pedal steels have many!

Susan Alcorn · From: Baltimore, MD, USA

Oh, what sad news. Walter, thank you for posting this. What a beautiful soul.

Cody Campbell · From: Nashville, Tennessee

Earnest,
I never EVER in my wildest imagination would have made that connection myself, but now that you mention it, I totally see it! (Though I seriously doubt Floyd was listening to Cannonball Adderley). Smile

My favorite thing by JZ is his piano solo on a tune called "Gemini," from the Cannonball Adderley Sextet live in New York album.

Of course, I haven't heard any of his recordings as a leader until the past few days. I have a feeling I'd like his trio recordings.