www.willlee.com Will Lee sits down in his home studio The Beatles Museum and talks to an interviewer about legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius. Tries to explain the magic of Jaco from a working bassists point of view.
Will Lee, one of the world's greatest bass players, with a resume of hits and credits longer than a football field...and people want to throw stones from the comfort of their bedrooms! I absolutely love this - you are willing to put yourself on video and speak passionately about some of your inspirations - Jamerson, McCartney, Jaco - and you do it in such a humble way. It makes the regular joe's like myself again understand that musicians on every level are - or should be - connected by the music and musicians we are passionate about and inspired by. Thanks for your contributions to the soundtrack of my childhood!
Yes I do suck! I don't know how many great masters there are out there that are writing all the negative stuff, but glad I've given you a platform to vent your hostilities! Have a wonderful day. Love ya!
Will, being in the New York studio scene myself during the late 70's early 80's playing with Omar, Bashiri and Kashif, you were and still are an inspiration to my bass playing. Everything from Billy Cobham's Dreams to Vince Mendoza. I heard you did a "Mike's" submarine commercial in Montreal, bass and vocals.
You are a great bass player and human... let those to speak sh** they do it 'cause you are so good at what you do... I have learn a lot from hearing your playing ... Peace bro
I know it's tough to read the crap people post on what you've shared, (read taking a shit in your house,) and resist the urge to respond, but you're better off not feeding the trolls. They get off on getting under your skin. Your response only validates them, and their disease. By the way, thanks for your kind comments in regards to one of my favorite musicians.
Will Lee spreading the Jaco love - so deserving and props to Will for helping keep his memory alive. Very cool thing to do... much respect to you Will.
Will Lee has contributed to so much great music over the past 35-40 years. He's pretty humble, but he's a monster. Not necessarily a trend setter, but a spectacular accompanist and a man with 'big ears' as they say. He really understands his role as a Bass player and always gets inside the music. One of my favorite musicians.
Absolutely. And Jaco's genius becomes apparent when musicians this good can't really approach his feel, musicality & tone. In fact it sounds kinda noisy and crappy when he tries to show us by example. In this way, Jaco is beyond Hendrix originality, that he still can't be imitated in any way that does him justice.
That story about Jaco soloing for an hour (while "giving" a bass lesson) is thee best story ever. So funny. So great. LOVE IT. Thanks for sharing, Will. -ET
Wow! That was fascinating. Not only is Will articulate, but he's able to demonstrate as he speaks. I really enjoyed this. I recall hearing Jaco play in bands around Fort Lauderdale in the 1970s - the Four O'Clock Club, She, Batchelors III, Village Zoo, etc. I didn't appreciate just how good he was. South Florida has always been awash with great musicians. Thanks, Will, for recording and uploading this treasure.
I've been lucky enough to meet a handful of truly great musicians in my lifetime, and hands down the really great players are always humble and gracious. After watching this, Will Lee is clearly in that league. Thanks for such a down to earth and generous interview.
Hey Will! I'll never forget how cool you were to me when you happened to be at one of my gigs somewhere. I was flattered, and humbled. We had a lot of friends and session mates in common. You speak of 'welcoming' well, you made me feel welcome. Thanks, man.
Thanks for the comments, guys. I never thought music was sexist or needed to discriminate. That is so anti-art! Really appreciate the positive words, all...!
Will Thanks for the great memories you shared about Jaco !! I got to hang with Jaco and I think it was Terry Nagel for a weekend in 1985 at The L.A. guitar show. I stayed at and watched ( slept in ) a room for Musician's Institute ..at that hotel where the guitar show was at.. So I saw pretty much all the music happenings that weekend... I had a few times where Jaco and I were by ourselves and he would tell me some very deep and personal things going on in his life at that time. and the other times it was the 3 of us ..Jaco... Terry ? and me and their friends... I feel so very blessed to have met him . Memories I will always be thankful for !!!!
I might have been a bass player had I not discovered you. Back in 1987 I believe, there was an interview you did in Guitar World called "The hardest working bass in show business" (something like that)I learned about your schedule and your Late Night gig.. then I realized, "Wow, being a musician is work!" So, if freaked me out a bit.. Your world seemed so serious and professional.. So I stuck to being a sloppy rock n roll guitarist.. :) 30 years on I am getting serious about bass.. The ol finger joints aren't liking it but I'm having a blast.. Love the interview .. Thanks for the inspiration!
There is so much I love about this video, it's hard to know where to start. The absolute reverence for Jaco in Mr. Lee's words are inspiring and touching. But then the degree with which he has studied Jaco's touch on the the fretless J-Bass shows an adoration that translated into hours of study. This film makes me even more proud to be a bassist, and even more convinced that the instrument has centuries of genius ahead of it. Our musical culture embraces scientific rigor, artistic creativity, and respect for our forebears. As Jaco himself said, "WOMEN AND RHYTHM SECTION FIRST!" Thanks again for this, Mr. Lee.
I can feel Will's sadness and pain with the lost of Jaco, Will's been my hero since 1977, I'll buy any album that's got Will's name on it as a sideman. Jaco's a true genius on bass and composition. Lotsa love to you Will, from Singapore. Yes, we took notice of you all the way from the other side of the Globe Mr Lee :)
Will Lee, when ever I listened to you on the Davis Letterman Show, I was always amazed at how you managed to play just the right note in just the right way to embellish the song. Thank you for sharing your insight on Jaco and playing the bass. You are quite the cat.
Hi Will, it was great to hear you talk about Jaco. Thanks for the great contribution you made to music as well. I first became aware of you when you were jamming with Steve Gadd & Richard Tee. I think I was just getting into listening & playing funk at that time. I'm a piano player. Lovely to hear one of the greats pay homage to another great .You are a very humble guy! I really appreciate that!!
So glad that YOU are still with us, Will Lee -- to share you talent and your stories! I remember Dave Holland (drop, drop) telling me about the first time he met Jaco - I wish I was bumping around NYC in the early '80s! (was just a teen way up in Saugerties)
Thanks, Will! What a laid back interview as if we all were just chill'n with you while you shared some Jaco-"ism" with us. Priceless, a definite keeper for my RU-vid vault. You absolutely right ..... Jaco Lives!!
Will Lee has been a massive inspiration to me as a bass player, his studio credits and ability to play in so many different styles so well and really groove is fantastic. A master of economy of notes and a great reader. Why has he been in so much demand and played on so many recording dates, etc, etc for decades? The proof is in the pudding, its his approach to playing the right notes and with groove and melody - Awesome musician! Enough said.
Will Lee, your superb bass playing really complements the narrative, and the anecdotes of Jaco and bass playing in general. Thanks for posting. Cheers!
That's the Jaco I remember when I was at the UM music school 1972-77. I used to go down to the Unitarian church in S. Miami to hear him play with Ira Sullivan. It didn't matter if you were an established player with real chops or a beginner like I was at the time, Jaco was humble and gracious to everyone. A couple of years later I saw him at a Weather Report concert in NYC and he greeted me like I was an old friend. I have to smile when ever I hear him play because there was so much joy in his performances. He heard things nobody else knew was there and made it real for the rest of us.
I heard Ira Sullivan was maybe the main person responsible for turning Jaco into the pro the he was. Did you know him from the early days or did he just recognize you from the crowd? I heard he had somewhat of a photographic memory.
Hey Will Lee! Your interview was just awesome I enjoyed it so much you're my fav kind of musician - honest open minded and willing. The humility you exude explians to me just how and why you have such a talent and ability to "get" music, and from the sounds of it you totally get people too (your comments on Jaco were thought provoking and beautifully reverent). Anyhow I'm just a faceless "nobody", an anon, yet I look at my fellow musicians (rich/poor - famous/nobody) as equals and the real good ones are always "students" no matter how old they are, just look at Wille just turned 91 and still growing. I'd suggest you're this type - "Jaco introduced the world to the treasure of bass". Credit where credit is due, period. No hero worship no class divide, as music is truly the great unifier of mankind! You're an inspiration to us all Will, and I'd just like to say thanks for the half hour well spent dude! Be well! - E.S. from TX
Just great to see how someone who has been around still finds pleasure in playing bass even during an interview....music is such a beautiful gift. Thanks for the vid, Will...greetings from Belgium
So enjoyable... me & some friends are coming off immersion of the new Jaco documentary....and getting your take on your experiences with him, Will, is just awesome. Thank you for posting... we're still watching...nearly 3 years later.
As someone who has played bass behind Bo Diddley, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck and Peter Green among others... I'll weigh in... Will Lee is a consummate musician. A great singer, and he took the time to share with you folks. Be thankful... and stop casting stones less you get a brick back. Musical veterans really don't give a crap about your negativity. They've made it... Now it's your turn... Watcha got? Most people don't bother anymore because of the silliness.
The thing with Jaco was that he was not interested in the money, he realized that the money kills the music, and if you listen to the radio today, you realize that he was right!
pleximanic Thanks so much for enlightening us all with your bullshit theory. Jaco worked very hard to support a growing family and yes, he ‘cared about money.’ Duh!!
It's not how many notes you can play in a given moment that matters, but how you make a person feel while playing! As often said in certain circles, "It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing"! Longevity is the key! Will Lee has earned his place in bass player history!!
I loved Jaco since I heard his debut solo album as a teenager. I was lucky enough to get to see him play back in the day at Bar 55, along with guys like Hiram, Mike Stern, Jeff Andrews and others. Uncle Will is my favorite working musician and not just an immense talent, but a truly beautiful human being. Thanks for this terrific video, which I finally caught up to!
what was it like watching Jaco during those years? Did you see him more than once? Was he still the great musician we know or was it hit or miss? All the video I've seen of him in 84, 85, 86 - he's still sounding amazing.
The first time I heard Jaco in '80 I was blown away. As a 13y old kid I heard you play "Calico Baby" with dreams in '74. My life changed for ever. Thank you Will If you got time check my rendition of your song Youtubing "Alex Bankovic Calico Baby" Alex
Fabulous bassist, musician and great video. I first heard of Jaco via an art teacher who had got wind of the latest phenomenon of bass, late 76. It was around 6 months later I managed to actually get to hear him. The rest is history.
Thanks Will; I really liked this style of interview, very comfortable and relaxed... it allowed you to get in some fretless work that opened your mind to recollections of the time, people and feel surrounding the breakthroughs Jaco (and you) bring to a great instrument.
Will, this is fantastic. It's such a pleasure listening to you discuss the art of music making and especially here on this amazingly unique spirit, Jaco.
one day, many years ago, i was very close to quit playing. because i only knew a 5 percent of things than can be done on a bass and i was quite bored.. then one day a friend of mine told me ... listen to this ... it was the Invitation record. i still remember what i said : wow ... beautiful ... what instrument is it ? he smiled and said : the one you play. No Way !!! i'm still playing, and thanks to him i explored and still exploring many different types of music, especially jazz.. thanks Jaco, i really love You deeply. thank You Will and many compliments for Your great career ;-)
God I only wish I could play 1/400th the notes that you put out there. Listening to you and others like you, makes me question my own life choices. I will keep plucking along and enjoying you and all the others. I saw you twice on Letterman and I really enjoyed the commercial breaks the most. Thanks for the memories.
You are one of the greats, will.... you have such a beautiful and unique voice on the instrument as well as a great "voice". What a generous cat you are. blessings
What a Gem of an interview. Thanks So Much for posting this what a fountain of knowledge. Its refreshing to hear such a veteran speak so candidly about such an enigma
Was with Jaco in the fall of 1982 in the Fair Oaks hospital in Summit New Jersey. I had just finished spending time at Berklee in Boston and had a breakdown . Jaco would sit with his bass at the end of the hall in near a closed doorway and let me sit next to him on the floor and listen. He told me he was not Jaco so I didn't press him about it. I had my real book I got before I left Berklee and would play the piano downstairs when I wasn't too drugged up. He would just shred on his unplugged bass and I'll always remember that experience.
Great interview session... I have always listed Will Lee as one of my main influences for me to play music on my bass. He brings every element to a bassline that needs to be there.
Will, thanks for posting this. It's really something to watch one of your bass heroes talking about another of your bass heroes. Love your talent, self-deprecating wit and passion for playing! It's infectious.
Thanks for sharing this................... Though masterful through in and through out, I particularly like his work with Joni. He added such great flavor without having to extend. Just great color............. I really appreciate a guy who can make a statement without choosing to use enormous chops to do it.... Like Bill Evans...........
Will, thanks for making this video and sharing the stories. One of my best friends was Kenny Cordray and he played guitar with Jaco in the Wayne Shorter band during that time. Kenny also shared a lot of stories with me about Jaco and Pat Metheny. Watchers take heed at 7:50 Will says - “ without ever hearing anything new, how did they get this?” Brilliant brother…was probably cocaine lol 8:48 Will says - “If the bass was Fort Knox…” For some strange reason last few days all I have been doing here is watching Jaco interviews, lessons and videos like this from so many. I’m not a bass player either lol. Thank you again Will Lee, I wonder how many bassists or people commenting here would take on such a task to make a video about such an amazing and influential musician.
Love you Bro. Will 🎸🎸🎸 My main axe is drums but I’ve been trying to learn the bass for the last few years now but I became a fan of yours watching the CBS Orchestra on Letterman. You and Anton were and still my guys! God bless 🎸😀🎸
I love this interview Will. You tell us about Jaco whom I love as well and could not lay it out any clearer for us.A lot of folks out there are not really informed about what Jaco did for music or what he was about as a person either but this helps immensely and thank you. I discovered Jaco years ago listening to a live Joni Mitchell show with Jaco and Metheny! I wish others could hear what some of us hear in music but I know that's impossible. They are missing out. Now on a final note as an Amateur radio operator that shirt you have there is way cool. Thanks again!
Will, I saw Jaco with Wayne Cockryn in Fat City back before he was famous. His band and ours played a group of clubs called the "Place across the Street". I got to town early and walked in through the back by the stage and listened to their last show. Three piece rhythm section and about 8 horn players. I had never heard someone play so percusiively. The band had so much punch. I talked to him a bit and he seemed like he was done with them. I only realized years later while reading about him that it was he that was playing that night.
Wiil, your spirit is even bigger than your playing which is saying a lot. I am a big fan of you as a person on earth having met you at least four times since 1980 when you were on your way to do a Steely Dan session. Rock on bro.
I finally got turned on to Will Lee by watching some videos of him with Nanci Griffith from Late Night and was just blown away at how he seemed to FEEL the music, both vocally and instrumentally. He appears to be so easy going and yet so free swinging at the same time. While Lee Sklar inspired me to start playing again, Will can almost scare me into selling my instrument. A GREAT player!
So sad he left us when he did..he is gone not forgotten. Seeing him live was unbelievable..he was his own man.He expanded us as to what the possibility of the bass could do..Monster...player.Thank you for this post greatly appreciated 👍.
I saw Will Lee when he was a teenager playing with the Brecker Brothers at the Wise Fools Pub in Chicago. The Brecker Brothers were a hot funk/jazz band and Lee was spot on with some monster bass work as a young teen. Very cool!
Will Lee is - and always has been THE SHIT!!! His work, and history needs no defense from these never -beens, and never-will-be's out here trying to throw shade. Always gonna be haters that can't - talking shit about winners that can. As Rocco Prestia told me once - "you keep thumpin, and ignore the noise".....
you one of my favorites too Will, I love playing Jaco's style too like you said hard not to think of him when you pick up a fretless. Phil Magini and Bunney Brunel do some amazing fretless work too. Thank your for your great music and Jaco Stories
Beautiful, really enjoyed this. Thank you Mr. Will Lee for sharing it...we've sure shared a lot of good times over the years my good friend....okay, so I was having all those good times while you were working! Anyhow, thanks!!! :)
Personally I'm sick of people using insightful and educational material such as this and trying to put a negative spin on it. Music is Love. Jaco is a God among men. Will Lee is a Mensch. Thanks for sharing!
That was great Will. Thanks. I got sucked in! Someone posted "Zawinul talks about the loss of Jaco" on fb and I went down a rabbit hole o vids that ended with you. A much needed, inspirational kick in the ass. I've been playing punk too long and need to shed! Seiwell says hi.
Love you, love music. Great video and how nice it is to have a musician speak so highly of another. There is no greater trait in an artist. you rock and swing and bop...don't stop!
I used to go tot the Lions Den and stand right in front of Jaco....Mostly playing with Ira and Dolph. It was a great time in my life...incredible playing, nothing like it!
Thanks for that, I really agree with you about Jaco and love your 'unlocking the bass' thing and the treasures within. He was so subtle and yet so dynamic, there's a lifetime of things to discover. BTW, I love your playing on Lets Stay Together Letterman 1989 with Al Green Toni Childs Tower of Power et al. You held it all together and drove it at the same time.
Appreciate the interview Will....you have always been a First Tier Bassist to me since I was a teen....When I get back to visit Gotham again I would love to come to a gig of yours outside the TV Studio...Peace
I am glad Will mentioned Havona. When I hear Havona, it is such a blissful piece of music. I think, as a bass player, if I could play that bass line technically correct, that would be just the lowest level of learning that song on bass. The expressiveness.... the tone, the variance... there are just so many dimensions to that song. I don't know how you can listen to Havona and not come away realizing what an absolute titan Jaco was, just musically in general.
I love Will Lee ...I really do.As a musician the thing we all strive for is to entertain and Will doe's that bigtime. Great playing and great stories..Cheers Will......Oh!...please come back to Liverpool we miss you.
Great Interview!! Very honest. Nice to hear a talented musician talk about someone he admired without any ego attached and give you an insight into what they found fascinating about them. Only correction I would have is that I saw an interview with Jaco ...and the reason he pulled the frets out of his electric bass is because his double bass literally exploded in the humidity and heat of Florida I am assuming. He didn't have enough money to buy another one so he went and got a kitchen knife and pried the frets out of his electric bass. Kinda like Hendrix and the feedback thing.....a happy accident ...use it to your advantage!!!!
