Reza/Giant Steps/Reza (Reprise)

Electric bassist Jaco Pastorius' Word of Mouth big band made two recordings for Warner Bros. during its short life, of which is this is the superior one. The large ensemble (five trumpets including Randy Brecker, five reeds with solo space for Bobby Mintzer on tenor and soprano, four trombones, two French horns, Toots Thielemans on harmonica, drummer Peter Erskine, percussionist Don Alias, and Othello on steel drum) performs a variety of superior material. Although Pastorius takes his share of solo space, and the sound of a big band backing a bass soloist is rather unusual, he does not excessively dominate the music. Pastorius contributed some of the pieces (most notably "Liberty City"), is showcased on "Amerika," and also plays such tunes as "Invitation," "The Chicken," "Sophisticated Lady," "Giant Steps," and Gil Evans' "Eleven.

[@muzzy7039]

Little disappointed to see only 11000 people bothered to click and hear the genius here.

[@kenrhoda7714]

Gets me every freakin' time!!! How he goes from technical wizard to "Oh My God, he's out of control!" back to technical wizard and then ends by ripping the guts out of the thing!! Oh.....I love me some Jaco!!!!!

[@ejlatsaknetxis]

6:30 for that sweet giant steps walking bass

[@pastoriusx]

wow

[@THEHATECAMEL1]

one of the greatest live performances ever. my favorite jazz song/s ever.

[@maitai1133]

As a young teen, I bought the ALBUM - one of the best ever. I was definitely the only teen in 1985/86 who had it in my school.

[@Piero2374]

Il lavoro di Erskine alla batteria in Giant Steps è qualcosa di eccellente!

[@Zeppolino100]

Crazy Wonderful! Wildly Inventive! Using that Big Band for All it's Worth. Plus I believe Jaco painted that cover!

[@georgeferguson6236]

jaco still stands out in this outstanding line-up of great players. this is one of his all time best jams. I miss him and think what would he be doing today.

[@maitai1133]

And Peter Erskine!

[@georgeferguson6236]

it`s 2019 and there is still no bass player who can touch jaco. NO-ONE!

[@maitai1133]

I really think you're right. If only he were alive today.

[@ShangoDC]

I think when we talk about the very best that would have to be Stanley Clarke by far.

[@matteolasticot]

Merci !

[@maxabeles]

that theme from Reza being doubled w/ bass at the end ! :o

[@washingtonassis2931]

Genial!

[@akosvarga2672]

you forgot Caravan at 1:53 :D

[@gferenc54]

Megúnhatatlan !

[@jeffreytemkin818]

The biggest tragedy of a tragic life is that he too few of his compositions

[@atlantaguitar9689]

I put together a cover of this - no where near this level but wanted to pay tribute. soundcloud.com/ticop/reza-1