Joe Zawinul (1932-2007)

(The Vienna Boys' Choir.)



(Double dutch.)

The technique of music doesn't know race. Only environment matters, but even that can be a red herring.  Perhaps the most obvious man to illustrate this still-debated point is Joe Zawinul, who died today. Zawinul had such a passion for funky black American music that he overcame the severe handicap of being born in Austria before becoming an essential member of Cannonball Adderley's band in the 1960's. For some, Zawinul's piano work with Adderley is more in the pocket than his predecessor, Bobby Timmons. 

In his greatest work (which was the greatest fusion band, Weather Report, co-led with Wayne Shorter), a wonderful reversal of stereotypes took place:  the black saxophonist from Newark wrote the thorniest compositions, and the Austrian pianist came up with the funkiest grooves. Like so much of improvised music, Weather Report's discography (while still splendid) is only half the story:  all that saw Weather Report live in the 1970's say it was one of the great experiences of their lives.