J. Zawinul

Joe Zawinul was born in Vienna, July 7 1932 (Died: September 11 2007, Vienna) and had his first introduction to music was playing the accordian with his family. As a jazz musician he began getting noticed in 1952, when he began working with Hans Koller. However, Zawinul is most recognized for his work as a musician and composer on Miles Davis' albums from 1969-1970: "In a Silent Way", "Bitches Brew", "Live Evil", and "Big Fun". Also he is recognized for co-founding, one of the seminal Jazz Fusion bands of the 70s, Weather Report with Wayne Shorter, also a ex-Davis musician, in 1971. Since the break-up of Weather Report in 1986, he has done some solo tours and recordings and has formed the Zawinul Syndicate and played in other bands . He is a great composer and one of the great pioneers of electronic keyboards in jazz music.