Billy Reed
Thank you
Josef Erich Zawinul (7 July, 1932 – 11 September, 2007)
Jazz keyboardist and composer
This week I was saddened to learn of the death of one of my greatest musical heroes, Joe Zawinul, at the age of 75. I can’t describe just how much this guy has had an impact on my life, both with his groundbreaking band Weather Report and as a solo artist. It occured to me, after hearing on BBC Radio 3 about his death, that I have been enjoying his music for 30 years, ever since hearing that classic 1977 album, Heavy Weather – which opens with the famous Birdland and is followed by the beautifully sublime A Remark You Made (my all-time favourite, both the original and the big band version on Brown Street).
Billy Jnr. and I had the pleasure of seeing Joe in concert a couple of years ago at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, with his energetic Zawinul Syndicate – what a night! And I believe he was gigging – clearly his passion – almost up to the point he was admitted to hospital last month in his home town of Vienna.
The world has lost a brilliant musician, and it took me by surprise just how upset I was on hearing the news! But I will always have my memories and my huge collection of Weather Report and Zawinul albums, which I never tire of listening to – so he will always live on in that way.
There are a couple of hundred great photos of the man in action here on Flickr (just search for ‘Zawinul’) as well as some fantastic footage on YouTube.
I can’t express just how much I need to thank you, Joe, for what you have given me. Rest in peace (In a Silent Way) and enjoy the music of eternity...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_Report
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=weather+report&s...
Favourite albums:
www.amazon.co.uk/Heavy-Weather-Report/dp/B0000247M1/ref=p...
www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Passage-Weather-Report/dp/B000026H...
www.amazon.co.uk/Brown-Street-Joe-Zawinul/dp/B000ION5N2/r...
I wouldn’t normally upload a direct copy of album art, but the image felt appropriate for my tribute.
Thank you
Josef Erich Zawinul (7 July, 1932 – 11 September, 2007)
Jazz keyboardist and composer
This week I was saddened to learn of the death of one of my greatest musical heroes, Joe Zawinul, at the age of 75. I can’t describe just how much this guy has had an impact on my life, both with his groundbreaking band Weather Report and as a solo artist. It occured to me, after hearing on BBC Radio 3 about his death, that I have been enjoying his music for 30 years, ever since hearing that classic 1977 album, Heavy Weather – which opens with the famous Birdland and is followed by the beautifully sublime A Remark You Made (my all-time favourite, both the original and the big band version on Brown Street).
Billy Jnr. and I had the pleasure of seeing Joe in concert a couple of years ago at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, with his energetic Zawinul Syndicate – what a night! And I believe he was gigging – clearly his passion – almost up to the point he was admitted to hospital last month in his home town of Vienna.
The world has lost a brilliant musician, and it took me by surprise just how upset I was on hearing the news! But I will always have my memories and my huge collection of Weather Report and Zawinul albums, which I never tire of listening to – so he will always live on in that way.
There are a couple of hundred great photos of the man in action here on Flickr (just search for ‘Zawinul’) as well as some fantastic footage on YouTube.
I can’t express just how much I need to thank you, Joe, for what you have given me. Rest in peace (In a Silent Way) and enjoy the music of eternity...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_Report
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=weather+report&s...
Favourite albums:
www.amazon.co.uk/Heavy-Weather-Report/dp/B0000247M1/ref=p...
www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Passage-Weather-Report/dp/B000026H...
www.amazon.co.uk/Brown-Street-Joe-Zawinul/dp/B000ION5N2/r...
I wouldn’t normally upload a direct copy of album art, but the image felt appropriate for my tribute.