Weather Report Biography

Weather Report was an influential jazz fusion band of the 1970s and 1980s, pitting jazz with R&B, funk, and rock elements while still retaining an extremely high level of compositional and improvisational skills. Along with other groups that were founded by Miles Davis alumni Return to Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Herbie Hancock's group, WR was one of the greatest innovators of the jazz fusion genre at that time. They were also the most long-lived and perhaps the most artistically successful (as cited by Ken Burns) of the four groups.

The band was originally a spin-off from the group of musicians associated with Miles Davis in the late sixties and early seventies. The stable core of the group was the duo of pianist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, while the other musicians were rotated, sometimes with almost every new album release. Both Zawinul and Shorter had made their earlier marks as being among the best composers in jazz, Zawinul in Cannonball Adderley's group and Shorter in Miles Davis' group. Zawinul would later join Shorter with Miles Davis' first recordings of fusion music, "In a Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew".

Initially, the band's music featured extended improvisation, similar to Davis' Bitches Brew-period work, and instrumentation included both a traditional trap set drummer and a second percussionist (first Airto Moreira, later Dom Um Romão). The group was unusual and innovative in abandoning the soloist-accompaniment demarcation of straight-ahead jazz and instead featuring continuous improvisation by every member of the band.

Reedman Wayne Shorter furthered pioneering on the soprano sax (taking the torch from Sidney Bechet's and John Coltrane's earlier efforts) and both Zawinul and original bassist Miroslav Vitouš experimented with rock guitarists' electronic effects, Zawinul on piano and synthesizers, Vitouš on upright bass, often bowed, as a second horn-like voice.

Weather Report's self titled debut album "Weather Report" won Down Beat's Album of the year in 1971. Although the album is generally softer than in later years (acoustic bass and no synthesizers were used) it is still considered a classic of early fusion. Their sophomore effort the following year, "I Sing the Body Electric", featured their first use of electronics beyond an electric keyboard (a synthesizer and sound effects were utilized). Part of the 2nd album was recorded live in Japan which was taken from a Japanese-only release at the time. The entire "Live in Toyko" double album would later be released as an import and made available in the US.

Starting with 1973's "Sweetnighter", Zawinul decided to abandon the (primarily) acoustic group improvisation format and the band started to take a new direction. Weather Report became more funk/groove oriented while adding more structure to both song and improvisational sections. This change would prove to be not the best fit for Vitouš' talents as his relative lack of interest in playing more repetitive, funky vamps would become an issue (parts of "Sweetnighter" employ an electric bass studio sideman). Eventually this lead to his departure by the next album by a fretless electric bass player who was playing with Chuck Mangione's group, Alphonso Johnson.

For its first 8 years of existence the group had difficulty finding a permanent drummer, moving through an approximate average of one drummer per year Alphonse Mouzon, Eric Gravatt, Greg Errico, Ishmael Wilburn, Skip Hadden, Darryl Brown, Leon 'Ndugu' Chancler, Chester Thompson, Narada Michael Walden and Alex Acuña until Jaco Pastorius helped recruit Peter Erskine in 1978. Erskine and Omar Hakim later on were the only Weather Report drummers that played with the band more than 2 years.

Weather Report's breakout album that established its hallmark sound would be "Mysterious Traveller" from 1974. For the first time an electric bass (performed by Philadelphian Alphonso Johnson) would be used on nearly every song. In addition, general compositional technique would be greatly hightened and Zawinul would exploit improvements in synthesizer technology on the recording. Some of the extra musical effects beyond just the musical synthesizer playing include crowd cheering (taken from an actual Rose Bowl game), space alien sounds, and child-like cries (Zawinul's own son recorded in their home). "Mysterious Traveler" would begin Weather Report's unprecedented string of 4 successive victories winning Down Beat's "Album of the Year" award.

"Tale Spinnin'", recorded in 1975, made even further strides in utilizing technological improvements in synthesizers. The album also showcased more of Wayne Shorter's soloing to the extent that he probably solos more on that album than any other Weather Report record. Shorter would also record the seminal latin-jazz classic of the 70's "Native Dancer" under his own name that same year with the Brazilian vocalist Milton Nascimento. The Weather Report effort won the Down Beat best album award again and the Shorter/Nascimento effort was runner up.

By 1976's Black Market, the group's music evolved further from the open-ended funk jams into more melody-oriented, concise forms. They also had achieved a greater mass-market appeal by this time. Most notably, this album introduced virtuoso bassist Jaco Pastorius into the group, who plays on two of the album's songs. Alphonso Johnson (who plays on the other 5 songs) decided to leave Weather Report to play with the Billy Cobham/George Duke Band (a group that featured a young John Scofield on guitar). Black Market was perhaps the most rock oriented studio effort by Weather Report, in part due to former Frank Zappa sideman Chester Thompson playing drums on most of the songs (he later would be recruited into the touring band of Genesis). Black Market again won Down Beat's album of the year.

It was with Jaco Pastorius that helped push the group to the heights of their popularity. With the release of their biggest individual hit jazz standard "Birdland", from the Heavy Weather album in 1977, Birdland would even make the pop charts that year. The group also appeared on television with one of Don Kirshner's Rock Concerts. Heavy Weather would prove to be the band's most successful selling album while still retaining wide critical acclaim. Pastorius would also establish a new standard in fretless electric bass playing and add two compositions of his own into the song mix. Heavy Weather would dominate the disc award scene and coup the last Down Beat "Album of the Year" award for the group.

Jaco Pastorius appeared on four more Weather Report albums, including Mr. Gone in 1978, 8:30 in 1979, Night Passage in 1980 and their second self-titled album, (recorded in 1981 and) released in 1982. Pastorius departed the group in late 1981 due to touring requirements that he had to fulfil with his own Word of Mouth Big Band. By the time he left Weather Report Jaco had begun displaying symptoms of manic depression which would leave him in serious trouble with everybody.

Many of the group's earlier albums had received the highest possible (5-star) record rating in Down Beat's record reviews. However, in 1978 the group recorded the controversial and experimental Mr. Gone, which received only a 1 star review from Down Beat magazine. The group arranged for a rebuttal interview with the magazine to defend their efforts. Zawinul and Pastorius were more defiant in their responses to the interviewer, Shorter being more philosophical, and Erskine the most reticent of the four. Many regard Down Beat's review of this album (which virtually everybody agrees is not among Weather Report's best) as the most controversial single review in the history of the magazine.

They would make a comeback and follow up with their last album of the 70's. 1979's "8:30" is considered to be one of their best, combining both live and studio recordings on a double LP release. Despite the "Mr. Gone" controversy, the band's follow up 8:30 tour was probably their most well attended. Zawinul has been quoted as saying there were more stage hands hired for that tour than at any other time in the band's history. The group toured intentionaly as a quartet now, temporarily abandoning the percussionist chair.

The band kept releasing new albums once a year with various line-ups until 1986. A high quality video ("Live in Japan"-VHS and Laser Disc only) featuring Omar Hakim on drums, Victor Bailey on bass, and Mineu Cinelo on percussion was also released around 1984. This video was never officially released on DVD and is not currently available.

Weather Report did not manage to match the critical or commercial success they enjoyed during the 70's during this decade. It was also becoming harder to market jazz fusion as traditional jazz was making a comeback at the time. Shorter and Zawinul mutually decided to disband in 1986 after recording their last album, "This is This". Both would play jazz fusion with their own groups for a time before moving on to new styles of music.

A "post band" Weather Report double CD, "Live and Unreleased" was made available in 2002, featuring vintage live recordings during the late 70's/early 80's with various personnel. As of September, 2006 Columbia/Legacy has also released the first ever Weather Report boxed set called "Forcast: Tomorrow". It includes 3 CDs of mostly pre-released material and a DVD of the entire September 28th, 1978 performance in Offenbach, Germany (with Erskine and Pastorius) not previously available.

Other former members of Weather Report include bassists Alphonso Johnson and Victor Bailey, drummer and percussionist Alex Acuña, percussionists Manolo Badrena and Robert Thomas Jr., and drummers Peter Erskine and Omar Hakim.

It is with first with Miles Davis, then with Weather Report that keyboardist Josef Zawinul became synonymous with the jazz fusion era, contributing a number of genre-defining compositions. One such song is the band's signature tune "Birdland" from the band's top seller Heavy Weather. Many consider Zawinul as the best synthesizer player that jazz has ever produced, frequently employing the use of over 10 keyboards with live settings of the band.

Wayne Shorter's role was not as prominent as it was with Miles Davis during the 60's and this led to some criticism of the group. However, he is still regarded as one of the all time greats on both the tenor and soprano saxophone. At the urging of Davis before he left his band, Shorter began using the soprano saxophone and played it exclusively in Weather Report's debut recording. Shorter is known as playing in an economical style in many of the WR recordings.

Joseph Zawinul

Jaco Pastorius

Some Of Weathers Reports CD's With Jaco Pastorius

		Weather Report - Black Market Jaco's first album with Weather Report, performing on two tracks, including his own composition, "Barbary Coast". Details \| Buy from Amazon.com \|

		Weather Report - Heavy Weather Weather Report's best-selling album is also Jaco's first as a co-leader, and his first full album with the band. Details \| Buy from Amazon.com \|

		Weather Report - 8:30 (Live) Recorded during during the U.S. leg of the 1978 tour. Features Jaco's famous "Slang" solo. Details \| Buy from Amazon.com \|

		Weather Report - Mr. Gone A Jaco fan favorite, featuring two of Jaco's compositions: "River People" and "Punk Jazz". Details \| Buy from Amazon.com \|

		Weather Report - Night Passage The music for Night Passage was created during Weather Reports tours from 1979 and 1980, following the live album, 8:30. Details \| Buy from Amazon.com \|

Wayne Shorter

Alex Acuna

Weather Report Drummers Photo ( Left to Right):

Chester Thompson, Skip Hadden,Ndugu Leon Chancler, Alex Acüna, Omar Hakim, and Peter Erskine.

Weather Report

(For a complete discography visit the link below)

Weather Report: The Annotated Discography
http://www.binkie.net/wrdisc/index.html

As performed by Weather Report. As composed by Josef Zawinul. As arranged by Michael Sweeney. Esprit (Marching Band). Band Level: 3. 6.75x10.5 inches. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.03745125)

Originally recorded by the innovative jazz fusion group Weather Report, Birdland has become one of the most popular jazz tunes ever. Michael Sweeney adds a few wrinkles and a false ending but retains the joyful energy (and most importantly, the percussion groove!) of the original.

Chart/Arrangement Instrumentation:
• Birdland

Instrumentation:
• Conductor Score (Full Score) (12 pages)
• Flute/Piccolo (2 pages, 16 copies)
• Bb Clarinet (2 pages, 16 copies)
• Eb Alto Sax (2 pages, 8 copies)
• Bb Tenor Sax (2 pages, 4 copies)
• Eb Baritone Sax (2 pages, 2 copies)
• 1st Bb Trumpet (2 pages, 8 copies)
• 2nd Bb Trumpet (2 pages, 8 copies)
• F Horn (2 pages, 8 copies)
• Bb Horn/Flugelhorn (2 pages, 4 copies)
• Trombone (2 pages, 8 copies)
• Baritone B.C. (Opt. Tbn. 2) (2 pages, 8 copies)
• Baritone T.C. (2 pages, 4 copies)
• Tuba (2 pages, 6 copies)
• Electric Bass (2 pages, 2 copies)
• Bells/Vibes (2 pages, 2 copies)
• Xylophone/Marimba (2 pages, 2 copies)
• Snare Drum (2 pages, 6 copies)
• Cymbals (1 page, 2 copies)
• Quad Toms (2 pages, 2 copies)
• Multiple Bass Drums (2 pages, 4 copies)
• Aux Percussion (2 pages, 2 copies)

$55.00

As performed by Weather Report. Transcribed Score. Authentic note-for-note transcriptions. 9x12 inches. 144 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.00675520)

A collection of 14 of their very best, including: Mysterious Traveller · Birdland · Palladium · Mr. Gone · Badia/Boogie Woogie Waltz Medley · Brown Street · 8:30.

Songs Include:
• 8:30
• A Remark You Made
• Badia/Boogie Woogie Waltz Medley
• Birdland
• Black Market
• Brown Street
• Mr. Gone
• Mysterious Traveller
• Night Passage
• Palladium
• Procession
• Pursuit Of The Woman W/ Feather
• Sightseeing
• Young And Fine

$18.95

Jeff Lorber is one of the top jazz-fusion keyboard players of the late 70s & early 80s. He had numerous jazz albums that made the regular Billboard album charts. He still makes albums & even recently won a Grammy. His very first two albums were originally on the Inner City label in 1977. Most people are unaware that Saxophonist Kenny G was Jeff's saxophonist for Jeff's early fusion projects...and Kenny G could burn!!!! Click on CD images above for links to Amazon.com where you can purchase these CD's!

As composed by Jeff Lorber. As arranged by Mike Tomaro. Jazz Ensemble Library. 9x12 inches. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.07010156)

From the Jeff Lorber album, 'Wizard Island,' this fusion chart provides a terrific medium groove for big band. The head features a Trumpet and Tenor duet and the opening Guitar lick is also cued in the Piano part.

Book Description - Minus Keyboards
Here is a chance for you to "sit-in" with the Dave Weckl band playing charts derived from the Weckl album Rhythm to the Soul. Each book contains a special play-along CD of the original pieces, but with the instrument in question omitted. That way the player gets to play with the band and experience the delight of music making with professionals. The book itself includes a complete chart of the player’s part, detailed explanations of how to perform the music, term definitions, concepts, musical examples and copious performance tips. With this book/CD, aspiring players get the chance to play with Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver, Tom Kennedy, Buzz Freiten, Frank Gambale, Bob Malach and Steve Tavaglione, and learn a wealth of techniques for expanding their musicality and playing finesse.

"... The gift that God has given us to be creative... flavors the whole creative process..."

Defining Dan Dobek's music is a little like trying to explain electricity. "Well, it's the invisible force, it seems to come from some mysterious place and it sort of energizes everything, and it's very powerful, one might say of both, and be right." But beneath the awkward search for words that work is a deeper force, the source of inspiration for Dan's profound talents as a composer and performer of dazzlingly beautiful instrumental music.

Randy Bernsen has played to audiences all over the U.S., Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia. He brings with him an exciting fusion guitar sound and a musical message. He's been privileged to work with the best - Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Toots Theilemans, and Michael Brecker. He was also guitarist for legendary jazz keyboardist/composer Joseph Zawinul and the Zawinul Syndicate fusion band. Randy toured with the Zawinul Syndicate from 1990 to 1992 and recorded "Lost Tribes" with the group. Randy also recorded and played with the late great Jaco Pastorious

Jazz with a funk reverence. "Live" fusion with traces of Mike Stern and Weather Report...

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Jazz fusion supergroup Niacin, composed of star rock bassist Billy Sheehan, keyboard guru John Novello, and funk rock drummer Dennis Chambers, has both returned fusion to its roots with the resurrection of the venerable Hammond B-3 organ and given it a shot in the arm with an injection of hard rock sensibility. Formed in the mid-1990s, the group has continued to produce albums and tour into the 2000s, racking up accolades along the way--even as its members nurture solo careers and contribute to other bands.

B-3 guru John Novello was ssked to sum up his band's sound in a sentence, he told the Boston Globe's Steve Greenlee that Niacin is "sort of a progressive retro fusion band" and that it was "guaranteed not to play elevator music.!" By all accounts, the group has more than succeeded: critics have raved about the group's high energy sound, unusual for a trio.

Tom Coster is an American keyboardist and composer. Detroit-born and San Francisco-raised, Coster played piano and accordion as a youth, continuing his studies through college and a productive five-year stint as a musician in the U.S. Air Force Band.

Coster has played with and/or composed for many groups and musicians including The Loading Zone, Gabor Szabo, Carlos Santana, Billy Cobham, Third Eye Blind, Coryell/Coster/Smith, Claudio Baglioni, Stu Hamm, Boz Scaggs, Zucchero and Bobby Holiday, Joe Satriani, Frank Gambale, and Vital Information. Coster also produced several solo contemporary jazz and fusion jazz recordings.

Some of Coster's best known compositions include "Europa (Earth's Cry, Heaven's Smile)", "Flor D'Luna (Moonflower)" and "Dance, Sister, Dance (Baila Mi Hermana)" performed by Santana, and "The Perfect Date" performed by Vital Information.

The Howland/Imboden Project is an all instrumental jazz/rock/fusion project with a strong emphasis on songs and a good dose of improvisation as well. The project features Keith Howland on guitar and Tris Imboden on drums, both current members of the legendary band Chicago.

Adam Nitti has emerged as one of the cutting edge bassists and composers in the world of instrumental jazz and rock. Based out of Nashville, Tennessee, Adam currently has 3 CD's released on his own Renaissance Man Records label. Adam has toured with the Dave Weckl band, Jeff Coffin Mu'tet, the Justice League, and Angie Aparo, and has also performed with such legendary jazz artists as Scott Henderson, Peter Erskine, Jimmy Herring, Mike Stern, Kirk Covington, Wayne Krantz, and many others. He is currently touring with Steven Curtis Chapman, a 4 time Grammy winning artist based out of Nashville.

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Leader, Composer, Arranger , Violinist, Saxplayer & Multiinstrumentalist

Miles Davis, George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Larry Coryell, Kenny Garret, Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, Eumir Deodato,Stephane Grappelli,Oliver Nelson, Lenny White, Larry Young, John Hendricks, Joe Williams, Elvin Jones,Buster Williams, Joe Henderson, Johny Griffin, Ted Curson, Astor Piazzolla, Freddy Hubbard, Tom Browne, Steve Gadd, Anthony Jackson, Victor Bailey, Omar Hakim, Bernard Wright, Marcus Miller and many others.

Kiko released his first solo album, “No Gravity”, the album was recorded May 2005, in Germany, with the production help of Dennis Ward, and is comprised of thirteen instrumental tracks. “No Gravity” has the participation of the drummer Mike Terrana, while Kiko played multi-instruments on this project including guitars, acoustic guitars, bass, keyboards, piano and percussion. Now Kiko through Boosweet Records releases his second solo project “Universo Inverso” in the USA and Canada, a high octane jazz fusion style release with world class performances by Kiko, Cuban born pianist virtuoso Yaniel Matos, bassist Carlinhos Noronha, and drummer Cuca Teixeira. The compositions are fiery and diverse with Brazilian Samba and Cuban Latin influences, among other styles.

On his new album Universo Inverso the guitarist decided to work in a quartet formation, bringing music from the Jazz/rock and Jazz areas. It's the right music for Kiko to show his exceptional talent. He can play a thousand notes per minute like Al DiMeola, next he shows that he also studied the basics of Wes Montgomery…

In this quartet we find Yaniel Matos (Havana, Cuba) behind the keyboards. He mainly works in the Cuban music scene (salsa) and also participates in Carlinhos Brown's band for the album Carlito Marron. To develop his jazz skills, he studied with giants like Wynton Marsalis and Anthonio Hart. In Brazil he's one third of the Mani Padme Trio (with Zeca Assumpção, bass and Ricardo Mosca, drums). Living in Brazil for the past half decade, he established himself as a wonderful and tasteful pianist. On bass is Carlinhos Noronha, a well known name in São Paulo's music scene. He's playing bass since he reached the age of 9 years old; also adapting knowledge of choro and samba, which made him an all round musician. Edgard "Cuca" Teixeira is on drums. He's well known from his work with Marina Lima and more recently Maria Rita. He also worked with Hermeto Pascoal, Dominguinhos, Raul de Souza, Leo Gandelman and jazz artists from the United States like Lee Konitz, the late Michael Brecker and Joe Lovano, to name just a few.

The cd starts with a few compositions which are clearly influenced by the jazz/rock style of the 80's. "Ojos Verdes" recalls memories of Chick Corea's Return to Forever (with guitarist Al DiMeola in the line-up). The rhythmic complexity of the composition's theme is performed with impressive self-confidence, especially if you consider that most of the music on this album was recorded "live" in the studio. The Spanish influence in the composition adds to the resemblance with Chick Corea's work. "Feijão de Corda" has a clear rhythmic reference to Brazil's northeast. "Havana" is a Yaniel Matos composition, a tribute to his home town. It's a pure rock composition with a touch of the world famous music from the band Toto (with Steve Lukather). It's clear that the guitarist finds inspiration from various corners of the music world. Pianist Yaniel Matos delivers a delightful solo. Another musician who has an impact on Kiko's music is Carlos Santana. On "Camino a Casa," Kiko recalls the Latin groove from Santana and adjusts his guitar style a bit to the one of the master himself. In "Samba da Elisa" Kiko shows his love for Rio de Janeiro. It's a delightful jazzy samba with nice bass lines from Carlinhos Noronha. The tune seems a bit out of place on this cd, although "Realidade Paralela" is of the same beauty. Here the pure jazz qualities of the guitarist makes you wish for a straight ahead jazz album by Kiko Freitas. Again pianist Yaniel Matos surprises with a breathtaking solo completely dedicated to the beautiful music culture of his homeland. He drastically changes the color of the song. In "Monday Mourning," Kiko pays tribute to the sadness in some of the compositions by Jobim, Villa-Lobos, Guinga. It's another nice jazzy moment on the cd. The album's closing song, "Recuerdos," with Kiko on the acoustic guitar, forms a quiet exit for this impressive album. The four members of the quartet sound great together. Bassist Carlinhos Noronha perfectly adjusts to the music and soloists; drummer Cuca Teixeira is a sure bet, perfectly accompanying with a dazzling timing and technique. And of course there's no doubt about the exceptional quality of the guitarist. The cd has two faces: one of jazz rock and one of beautiful jazz, a strange combination. But it works fine. Kiko Loureiro: a name to pay attention, too.

Weather Report Biography

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About The Best Of Steely Dan - Transcribed Score

Leader, Composer, Arranger , Violinist, Saxplayer & Multiinstrumentalist

Brian Auger	Dan Dobek	Steely Dan
Randy Bernsen	Kiko Loureiro	Steps Ahead
Brecker Brothers	Jeff Lorber	Tribal Tech
Vinnie Coaluita	Niacin	Weather Report
Tom Coster	Jay Oiliver	Rob Whitlock
Chick Corea	Many More Jazz Fusion Artists Soon!	Dave Weckl