1932 - 2007
Joe Zawinul at North Sea Jazz Festival (July 13, 2007)
On September 11, 2007 jazz legend, Joe Zawinul died of cancer in his native Austria. He was 75 years old. Joe first came to my attention through the immense success of his classic tune, Mercy, Mercy Mercy recorded by Canonball Aderly. Joe was the keyboard player in that band. With that tune's huge success Joe became instantly respected by black jazz audiences. He went on to record In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew with Miles and eventually established the fusion band, Weather Report. It was always a thrill when Joe would stop by the LP exhibit at NAMM and say hello. I had the pleasure of seeing and photographing him in several North Sea Jazz Festivals.
Martin Cohen
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