Jaco Pastorius was an influential American jazz bassist, born on December 1, 1951, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He is best known for his innovative playing style and use of harmonics, which transformed the role of the bass guitar in jazz music. Pastorius gained fame in the 1970s as a member of the jazz fusion group Weather Report and released several acclaimed solo albums. His self-titled debut album, released in 1976, showcased his virtuosic technique and compositional skills. Pastorius's contributions to music earned him recognition as one of the greatest bassists of all time, influencing countless musicians across various genres before his untimely death on September 21, 1987.