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Joe Zawinul Obituary
Zawinul had been hospitalized since last month. A spokeswoman for Vienna's Wilhelmina Clinic confirmed his death without giving details. His manager, Risa Zincke, said Zawinul suffered from a rare form of skin cancer, according to the Austria Press Agency.
Zawinul won widespread acclaim for his keyboard work on chart-topping Davis albums such as "In A Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew," and was a leading force behind the so-called "Electric Jazz" movement.
In 1970, Zawinul founded the band Weather Report and produced a series of albums including "Heavy Weather," "Black Market" and "I Sing the Body Electric." After that band's breakup, he founded the Zawinul Syndicate in 1987.
Zawinul, who was born in the Austrian capital, Vienna, and emigrated to the United States in 1959, is credited with bringing the electric piano and synthesizer into the jazz mainstream.
This past spring, he toured Europe to mark the 20th anniversary of the Zawinul Syndicate. He sought medical attention when the tour ended, the Viennese Hospital Association said in a statement last month.
Austrian President Heinz Fischer said Zawinul's death meant the loss of a "music ambassador" who was known and cherished around the world. "As a person and through his music, Joe Zawinul will remain unforgettable for us all," Fischer said in a statement.
Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer praised Zawinul's "unpretentious way of dealing with listeners" and said he wasn't "blinded by superficialities."
"Wherever he performed, he impressed with his playing," Gusenbauer said in a statement.
Zawinul's son, Erich, said his father would not be forgotten. "He lives on," Erich Zawinul was quoted as saying by APA.
Zawinul played with Maynard Ferguson and Dinah Washington before joining alto saxophonist great Cannonball Adderley in 1961 for nine years, according to a biography on his Web site. With Adderley, Zawinul wrote several important songs, among them the slow and funky hit "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy."
Zawinul then moved on to a brief collaboration with Miles Davis, at the time Davis was moving into the electric arena. It was Zawinul's tune "In a Silent Way" that served as the title track of Davis' first electric foray.
Funeral plans were not immediately released, but Vienna Mayor Michael Haeupl told reporters he would be given an honorary grave in the capital.
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press
45 Entries
May 18, 2020
God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the family's...My heartfelt condolences to the family's...
Khushroo Dholoo
February 12, 2017
I miss you Joe and your wonderful music will live forever in my heart. Your music is exactly what I like in Jazz. May peace be with you always & always. Whenever I watch your videos which is very often tears stream down my eyes, but thats life and God maybe wanted you up there to play for Him too who knows???
MIchael Jacobs
January 24, 2017
Your musicality is sorely missed
How you can show support
December 24, 2012
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MICHAEL HUGHES
March 29, 2012
BECAUSE OF YOU AND WAYNE SHORTER, WEATHER REPORT WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE GREATEST
JAZZ/FUSION COLLABORATION OF ALL TIME! I MISS YOUR PLAYING SO VERY MUCH
April 30, 2010
I miss u and maxine . . .
- - Bobby Blount
Brian Edwards (Drummer)
July 24, 2008
It's been several months since Mr. Zawinul has passed and I still have to remind myself that I won't get a chance to play with him in this lifetime. Our paths were not meant to cross in that way, so in a silent way I look forward to jamming with him on the other side. Blessings to the spirit of Josef Zawinul and many many thanks for the memories, the sharing of your vision, and your deeply spiritual music! Rest In Peace.
Jon DeForest
October 14, 2007
I was saddened to read of your passing, Joe, & somewhat shocked as I was just the day b'fore looking for new music of yours- music that lifts & transends, music that opens new doors & touches secret places in the soul, much as "Badia" did the first time I heard your sound.Those were the Pasadena days, & I relished the sounds of your thoughts-to-music-making floating thru the open windows as I worked in your hilltop garden, sounds of inspiration to my soul, sounds I will always know. I can only imagine what music you composed upon your Ascension!!!
And for Maxine--I will forever hear your laughter & see you tooling around town in your white Bentley!! Thoughts of Peace to you both, and to the family surviving.
Emile Dixon
September 17, 2007
Ever since I was initially introduced to the talents of Herr Zawinul on "Heavy Weather", I have been a huge fan. The collaboration with Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, Alex Acuna and Manolo Badrena awed me; it was a truly inspirational arrangement and completed my love of Jazz Fusion. His musical legacy to us will be a source of eternal joy and marvel; he'll be sorely missed but never replaced...
Jeff Paris
September 16, 2007
Joe, I saw you at Shelley's Manne Hole in the Sixties with my Mom and Dad when you were with Cannonball. When I got my driver's license I went there every time Cannonball played. You burned, four feet in front of me, every time, ramrod straightbacked, stern and straining in your solos to play the unexpected, outside the box, always searching. I'll never forget the holiness of "Country Preacher."
Bless you. Thank you.
Rachel Badillo
September 16, 2007
I just heard about this great loss to our music world. I was 13 yrs old when my big brother, Richy (RIP) took me to the Playboy Jazz Festival in 1982. It was my first big concert ever and all I wanted to hear live was Weather Report. That day and music still resonates in my heart and soul. I know my beloved Richy is checking him out in heaven (8:30). Mr. Gone.. Birdland...
Patricio and Tanya Vasquez
September 16, 2007
Our prayers go out to his family. What a loss to the jazz and fusion world of music. My husband and I got a chance to see him play with Weather Report and the late Jaco Pastorius. We will never for get the impact that concert had on us. What a great loss and God Bless and Thank You for the Great Music.
OSMAN BABER
September 16, 2007
My father gave/shared with me the gift of listening to good music, particularly jazz in all of its forms. Joe Zawinul is one of the musicians we both really enjoyed and appreciated. I lost my father back in May and now, as I read of Joe's passing, my heart is heavy again but my mind is already healing my heart as I think, recall, and ponder all the good memories, realizing just how healing the power of jazz music is. Joe Zawinul (et al), even after departing this life, offer us hope and healing through the power of their creativity and performances. Thank you. I pray GOD will have mercy on his soul and comfort his family in their loss......
david barron
September 15, 2007
my name is david barron i am a radio host of soul jazz review a radio station in san diego,ksds fm jazz 88.3 fm.on this day saturday the 15 of sept. i will start my show with his timeless music,mercy,mercy,mercy,thank you for you're music jazz88online,org rest well................
James Graham
September 15, 2007
From the moment I first heard "Unknown Soldier" you were always my greatest inspiration. Thanks for decades of the greatest playing, composing and group improvisation.
Jim D
September 15, 2007
Mercy...mercy...mercy.
Ralph Coram
September 14, 2007
I remember seeing Joe Zawinul play with Cannonball Adderley at the former Colonial Tavern here in 1969, and I asked him about one of the tunes. He was always a big part of the group, even with two showmen out front. A great man who went on to do greater things.
Mary Smith
September 14, 2007
Deepest sympathy to the family. The many people who knew and loved Joe will miss his talents.The scriptures give us comfort that sorrow and death will be done away with forever.
Harold Gray
September 13, 2007
Thanks to Joe; we'll always be able
to receive the weather report. A sound for the ages. God Bless!
Jim McCarthy
September 13, 2007
RIP Joe. I will miss your music as I miss Jaco's.
Daryl McClendon
September 13, 2007
I was listening to Weather Report Mysterious Traveler just yesterday. Got home and read the news. Rest in Peace Joe
Jim Nunziato
September 13, 2007
Every time a contemporary innovator of Jazz dies in my lifetime I am reminded of the preciousness of this musicial artform. Joe was a piano player among many players in his lifetime but oh what a lifetime that was. Those with creative ability were to steer jazz into a new direction of vitality and freshness. For Mr. Zawinul's contributions on that score I am deeply grateful. Today I am saddened at Joe's demise, but also for the uncertain times that Jazz faces. In these times I am comforted to know that the body of his work will always be around to remind me just how good "good" music can be.
Steve Kimball
September 12, 2007
I met Joe after a gig with Cannonball And Nat Atterly at the Mississippi River Festival, Edwardsville,IL (St. Louis area), summer of 1970. He was a consummate gentleman, in addition to being to being a consumate musician. Being a 20-year-old "R an B" sax player with Herb Sadler of Ike and Tina fame (Herb and Doris Review) and other St. Louis area bands, I was mesmorized as I listened from the wing. Wow! What an inspiration!
Thank you for all you've done. Hope to catch you again, on the other side some day. In the meatime, I'll continue to enjoy my Weather Report and Cannonball Adderly albums. God Bless you, Mr. Zawinul, and keep on cranking!
Paul Drake
September 12, 2007
I was fortunate to catch Weather Report in concert at NTSU during the Heavy Weather tour. Zawinul was always a genuine innovator, and a superb musician with a phenomenal "ear." It was always about more than the notes within the tune. It was about the dance. Thank you Lord for blessing us with this gifted man and his beautiful music.
David Reese
September 12, 2007
I saw him play in the late 70's, thank you Joe for all your wonderful music, you will be missed.
Teresa Johnston
September 12, 2007
God Bless you. Find peace in Heaven.
Clifford Thompson
September 12, 2007
Joe will be missed.
raymond jones
September 12, 2007
as a musician coming into my own in the 1970's i am extremely fortunate to have had joe zawinul as an example of how to synthesize musical influences and create along the way. and when i say create i mean without cliches or slick formulas. anything joe did was honest and real. along with stevie wonder (with malcolm cecil and gary orzabal) he made the arp 2600 sing soulful melodies and the rhodes piano (in weather report) and wurlitzer electric piano (with cannonball adderly) in his hands were expressive instruments and not just something to comp or pad on. and his piano playing was incredible (check his solo on Havona from weather report's heavy weather album). i cannot overemphasize how much this man's music means to me. i met joe once. i often times have aversion to meeting my heroes but in his case it was just meeting a kool kool kat. i got to peep his rig at the time and hear a little of his rehearsal. for a musician, those moments are priceless and remind us to keep focused on our musical path.
a few weeks ago i saw my friend (and yet another musical hero) george duke. i told him i'd heard joe had been ill. we had hoped for the best. and now joe has left us with his best work to learn from and groove to and appreciate. rest in peace. job well done.
Sheila Smith
September 12, 2007
Rest in Peace Joe.
janet singh
September 12, 2007
In My Pocket
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.
Micheal L. Nesbitt
September 12, 2007
To The Zawinul Family:
You all are in our prayers..Rest in peace Joe,"Birdland" was the Best....
Micheal L. Nesbitt
Terence Brownlow
September 11, 2007
The first time I heard Joe Zawinul was with the Cannonball Adderly group. I followed him throughout the years with a multitude of others.
He was a giant. He will be greatly missed. We are all fortunate to have his music to listen to and pass along: a true jazz legend! My deepest condolences to the family.
Carmina Burana
September 11, 2007
We had fallen out of touch since '04, and I didn't know you were seriously ailing.
Why did it pop in to my head yesterday (Sept. 10), seemingly out of nowhere, when I was getting out of my car, the time you told me a few years ago, "You're a very important person in my life"?
Now I know why.
Shine on, Joe. I will miss you, till then.
Gail Harris
September 11, 2007
I was fortunate to see Weather Report at the Fox Theater in Atlanta back in the 1970s, and own several Weather Report albums. I am saddened to learn of Joe Zawinul's passing.
QUINTON MILLS
September 11, 2007
ALL TRUE MUSICIANS AROUND THE WORLD WILL MISS YOU VERY MUCH: YOU HAVE TOUCH SO MANY PEOPLE.ITS A PLEASURE TO LISTEN TO FOREVER.GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR FAMILY. WE LOVE YOU MAN (THE REAL J. Z. )
Florence Brinson
September 11, 2007
Joe was GREAT! I remember when he played with Cannonball Adderley. He will be missed.
Robert (Bobby) Greenlee
September 11, 2007
RIP JOE YOU WERE AND ALWAYS WILL BE ONE OF THE GREAT KEYBOARD PLAYERS EVER.
Catherine
September 11, 2007
I met Joe in the 60's, and knew him to be a gentleman and a great musician.
My condolences to his family for their loss. Rest in Peace, Joe
Cathy
Irene c morrison
September 11, 2007
sorry for your loss he is in gods hands may god help you in your sad time in was a nice man may god be with with you .
D.L. ZIMMERMAN
September 11, 2007
REST IN PEACE JOE ZAWINUL
MIKE TRIMBLE
September 11, 2007
We lost a great."Mercy,Mercy,Mercy" is THE best song written!Joe rest in peace. M.W. Trimble ,Pensacola,FL
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