Renowned keyboardist, recording artist, composer and bandleader Joe Zawinul passed away on September 11, 2007 in Vienna, Austria. He was 75. In his storied career, Zawinul worked with Miles Davis on Bitches Brew and co-founded legendary jazz-fusion band Weather Report with saxophonist Wayne Shorter. He also wrote the landmark compositions “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” “In a Silent Way” and “Birdland.”
As reported by Reuters on Billboard.com’s Website, “Zawinul, voted best keyboardist 30 times by music magazine Down Beat‘s critics’ poll, including this year, had sought medical attention last month after a tour. He died of a rare form of skin cancer, local news agency APA reported.”
To read the full story, click here. Also, read Blair Jackson’s story about Weather Report’s retrospective box set Forecast: Tomorrow, from Mix‘s May 2007 issue.
