I got to workshop and perform with Randy Brecker back when I was studying trombone at Northern Arizona University in the late 2000s. I feel I got some vicarious Jaco transmission from Mr. Brecker’s style and playing that semester. Thanks for bringing the memories back!
For a long time when I would walk past the West 4th Street courts, I would get incredibly sad because of the stories I heard about Jaco. It was a bit like Pere Lachaise, and Jim Morrison. It's were I would try to tap into his spirit. For me, Jaco and Michael Hedges remain the two most original musicians in my lifetime. Both are really missed Thank you for the piece.
BTW, the Brecker was gifted to me last year-beautiful as well.
Thanks, Ray. I got to know Michael Hedges when I produced a Pat Martino recording in 1996 called 'All Sides Now.' We recorded some tracks at his home studio, including duets with Michael and Pat and duets with Joe Satriani and Pat. I remember that Michael, who engineered those sessions, recorded on tape and was cutting tape with an exacto to make edits in the jams. I also remembere the sensory deprivation tank that he created in an old school bus that he had purchased and kept outside on his front lawn in Marin County. What an insanely inspired guy he was!
Kind of a one-off that they put together as a lark. They had a few gigs around NYC. No tours or recordings or anything, though someone might have a cassette of their gig at the Lone Star or at the 55 Grand. Who knows?
Thank you for this piece! I read and enjoyed your book about Jaco. Can you say a little bit more about this group? "... and also a few hits at the Lone Star with guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and drummer Rashied in a band they dubbed There Goes The Neighborhood." I knew Jorma a bit in 1968 (played in concert with him once and had dinner and jammed at his home). Was this Rashied Ali?
Thanks Milk, had a lump in my throat by the end of this article.
At one point jaco was giving bass lessons and he had an ad in the back of the village voice which was a line drawing caricature of his profile and it just said "jaco" - lessons
well I knew what that meant.
I am a guitar player and at that age I was deep into Yngwie and EVH and holdsworth but knew exactly what and who he was.
I was 18 0r 19 at the time and i took one lesson with him in what I assume was his apt in the west village. We partied and I learned some chromatic exercises and triad inversions that I still use and it was a day I will never forget.
He was a beaming light from heaven and a year or two later like the wind he was gone.
I got to workshop and perform with Randy Brecker back when I was studying trombone at Northern Arizona University in the late 2000s. I feel I got some vicarious Jaco transmission from Mr. Brecker’s style and playing that semester. Thanks for bringing the memories back!
Oh yes, some Jaco must've definitely rubbed off on you via Randy.
Well done, Bill. Thanks for sharing this. WE love ya!
Psyched to read this. Had Joni’s Mingus on the other day and it was so great.
For a long time when I would walk past the West 4th Street courts, I would get incredibly sad because of the stories I heard about Jaco. It was a bit like Pere Lachaise, and Jim Morrison. It's were I would try to tap into his spirit. For me, Jaco and Michael Hedges remain the two most original musicians in my lifetime. Both are really missed Thank you for the piece.
BTW, the Brecker was gifted to me last year-beautiful as well.
Thanks, Ray. I got to know Michael Hedges when I produced a Pat Martino recording in 1996 called 'All Sides Now.' We recorded some tracks at his home studio, including duets with Michael and Pat and duets with Joe Satriani and Pat. I remember that Michael, who engineered those sessions, recorded on tape and was cutting tape with an exacto to make edits in the jams. I also remembere the sensory deprivation tank that he created in an old school bus that he had purchased and kept outside on his front lawn in Marin County. What an insanely inspired guy he was!
I have heard audiotapes of There Goes the Neighborhood but don't really know anything about the band.
Kind of a one-off that they put together as a lark. They had a few gigs around NYC. No tours or recordings or anything, though someone might have a cassette of their gig at the Lone Star or at the 55 Grand. Who knows?
Thank you for this piece! I read and enjoyed your book about Jaco. Can you say a little bit more about this group? "... and also a few hits at the Lone Star with guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and drummer Rashied in a band they dubbed There Goes The Neighborhood." I knew Jorma a bit in 1968 (played in concert with him once and had dinner and jammed at his home). Was this Rashied Ali?
Yes, Carl. It was Rashied Ali. Thanks for pointing out that omission.
Thanks for this piece. Now I need to read your book about Jaco.
You can get a signed copy of my Jaco book at my website: billmilkowski.com
Glorious piece - thank you SO MUCH for this <3
Much appreciated!
Really enjoyed reading this! thanks.
Thanks, Ethan. Much appreciated!
Thanks Milk, had a lump in my throat by the end of this article.
At one point jaco was giving bass lessons and he had an ad in the back of the village voice which was a line drawing caricature of his profile and it just said "jaco" - lessons
well I knew what that meant.
I am a guitar player and at that age I was deep into Yngwie and EVH and holdsworth but knew exactly what and who he was.
I was 18 0r 19 at the time and i took one lesson with him in what I assume was his apt in the west village. We partied and I learned some chromatic exercises and triad inversions that I still use and it was a day I will never forget.
He was a beaming light from heaven and a year or two later like the wind he was gone.
Thanks for this. Great memories. As a teenage bass player in NYC in the 80s Jaco was my idol. I’m sure we were at many of the same Jaco gigs!