Weather Report Members, Gear & Sound

Genre

Rock Jazz Art rock Jazz fusion Cool jazz Free jazz Jazz-funk Fusion Bebop Jazz rock jazz funk

Members

Select a Weather Report band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Jaco Pastorius

Roles:

Bassist Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Groups:

Pat Metheny Group Joni Mitchell (band) John McLaughlin, Jaco Pastorius, Tony Williams Jaco Pastorius Big Band Biréli Lagrène & Jaco Pastorius Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny, Bruce Ditmas & Paul Bley Trio of Doom Jaco Pastorious (band)

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Omar Hakim

Roles:

Drummer Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Groups:

Dire Straits Journey David Bowie (band) CHIC Madonna The Great Jazz Trio Jack Sass Band John Scofield Band Miles Davis (solo) Herbie Hancock (band) Sting The Sunday Night Band David Sanborn (band) Marcus Miller (band) Mike Mainieri Quintet

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Joe Zawinul

Roles:

Keyboardist

Groups:

Deep Forest The Zawinul Syndicate Maynard Ferguson radio.string.quartet.vienna Five Peace Band Live Ben Webster & Joe Zawinul Bandulu Reverie Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps Rock Ayers

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George Duke

Roles:

Singer Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Groups:

Earth, Wind & Fire The Mahavishnu Orchestra The Mothers of Invention George Duke vs E-S/L Stanley Clarke & George Duke The George Duke Trio Lyle Lovett & George Duke Zappa Plays Zappa Devoted Spirits Stanley Clarke & George Duke & Everette Harp Johnny Society Meiningen Court Orchestra The New York Pops The George Duke Band The Billy Cobham–George Duke Band The George Duke Quartet

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Alphonso Johnson

Roles:

Bassist Composer

Groups:

Santana Jazz Is Dead Abraxas Pool Bobby & The Midnites

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Victor Bailey

Roles:

Bassist Drummer

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Chester Thompson

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Genesis Tower of Power Santana The Mothers of Invention Santana & Chad Kroeger R.O.A.R.

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Peter Erskine

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Yellowjackets Steps Ahead Pino Daniele Project Peter Erskine & The Dr. Um Band Kenny Wheeler Quintet Rich Willey's Boptism Big Band Dave Slonaker Big Band Gary Burton & Friends Peter Erskine New Trio Peter Erskine Trio Alan Pasqua, Dave Carpenter & Peter Erskine Trio Frank Deruytter Quartet The Jazztimes Superband Manhattan Jazz Quintet

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Wayne Shorter

Roles:

Composer Saxophonist

Groups:

V.S.O.P. Bahia Black Wayne Shorter Quartet

Needs more gear

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Alphonse Mouzon

Roles:

Drummer Music Producer

Needs more gear

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Leon Ndugu Chancler

Roles:

Drummer Music Producer

Groups:

Santana The George Duke Band

Needs more gear

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Narada Michael Walden

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Journey The Mahavishnu Orchestra Temple Of Soul

No gear added

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Airto Moreira

Roles:

Drummer Music Producer

Groups:

CTI All-Stars

No gear added

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Miroslav Vitouš

Roles:

Bassist Composer

Groups:

Chick Corea Trio

No gear added

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Don Alias

Roles:

Drummer Keyboardist Composer

Groups:

Pat Metheny Group Joni Mitchell (band) Stone Alliance Blood, Sweat & Tears Miles Davis (solo) Pork Pie Jaco Pastorius Big Band Brecker Brothers The Sunday Night Band David Sanborn (band) Jaco Pastorious (band)

No gear added

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Eric Kamau Grávátt

Roles:

Drummer Music Producer

Groups:

The Lloyd McNeill Quartet Natural Life Steve Kimmel Trio

No gear added

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Mino Cinelu

Roles:

Drummer Music Producer

Groups:

The Headhunters Buckshot LeFonque Chroma

No gear added

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Dom Um Romão

Roles:

Singer Drummer

No gear added

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José Rossy

Roles:

Drummer

No gear added

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Alyrio Lima

Roles:

Drummer

No gear added

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About

Weather Report is an influential jazz fusion band that emerged in the early 1970s, known for their groundbreaking blend of jazz, rock, funk, and world music rhythms. Formed by Joe Zawinul (keyboards), Wayne Shorter (saxophones), and Miroslav Vitous (bass), the group quickly became a defining force in the jazz-rock genre. Over the years, Weather Report saw various lineup changes, with notable members like Jaco Pastorius (bass) and Alphonse Mouzon (drums) contributing to its evolving sound. The band is celebrated for their intricate compositions and innovative use of electronic instruments, which helped shape the future of jazz fusion.

How to Sound Like Weather Report

Weather Report's sound is characterized by its vibrant, exploratory nature, balancing complex rhythms with melodic improvisations. Their music often features lush, layered arrangements that seamlessly integrate electronic textures and acoustic elements. Joe Zawinul's use of synthesizers, such as the Korg Pépe, added a distinctive electronic edge, while Jaco Pastorius's virtuosic bass playing, utilizing instruments like the 1960 Fender Jazz Bass, brought a melodic and percussive quality to the band's rhythm section. The interplay between Zawinul and Shorter created a rich harmonic tapestry, with dynamic shifts and polyrhythmic grooves that are both intricate and accessible. Musicians aiming to capture Weather Report's sound may focus on creating a fusion of electronic and acoustic tones, emphasizing improvisation and rhythmic complexity.

Discography

Weather Report

1971

I Sing The Body Electric

1972

Live in Tokyo

1972

Sweetnighter

1973

Mysterious Traveller

1974

Tale Spinnin'

1975

Black Market

1976

Heavy Weather

1977

Mr. Gone

1978

8:30

1979

Night Passage

1980

PROCESSION

1983

Domino Theory

1984

Sportin' Life

1985

This Is This

1986

Live & Unreleased

2002

Forecast: Tomorrow

2006

Live in Berlin 1975

2011

Live in Cologne 1983

2011

Icons of Jazz - Weather Report

2014

Live In London

2020

Get the Weather Report Sound

Want to sound like Weather Report? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.