Jan 15, 2014
“Weather Report is the closest thing
that jazz had to the Beatles. The fans are still worldwide and
hungry for the band's legacy." – Peter Erskine.
Seminal jazz group
Weather Report rises again with the Weather Report Legacy Project
and crowd-funding initiative. The new project will support the
creation of a feature documentary, "Calm Before the Storm,"
which tells the story of the fabled group from its beginnings in
1970, through their 16 year/17 album career, anchored by legendary
founders and jazz legends Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter.
The Weather Report Legacy Project was created by Tony Zawinul, son of the late
Joe Zawinul and head of the Zawinul Estate, as well as Weather
Report co-founder Wayne
Shorter. Tony will direct the upcoming documentary and
brings unequaled access to the life and mind of his father Joe.
Others involved in the project include former Weather Report
members Peter Erskine, Alphonso Johnson, and Robert Thomas
Jr.
Tony Zawinul
noted, "We've seen phenomenal fan support from every corner of the
world. Weather Report had millions of fans over the years and it's
a joy to see their reactions to this landmark initiative."
Shorter added, "Taking myself out of it, this is a chance to find
out something that happened because of a group of people who have
gone down a trail less tread upon in the music world. I give the
project a thumbs-up."
The crowd-funding project is nearing the end of a very successful
push. Visit http://www.indiegogo.com/at/weatherreport
if you are interested in pledging
financial support and in return receive rare incentives including a
"Heavy Weather" Platinum Record, Jaco Pastorius tour memorabilia,
VIP tickets to the 2014 Weather Report Legacy Tour, unreleased
recordings from Joe Zawinul's personal collection of tapes, dinner
with Wayne Shorter and Peter Erskine, and even a chance to be
interviewed for the documentary.
Podcast 404 is my conversation with Tony Zawinul, as he reminisces about his late father, growing up surrounded by legendary musicians and what he hopes to accomplish with not only “Calm Before the Storm”, but his passion film project “Joe Zawinul: An American Dream.” Weather Report tracks - all featuring the inimitable sound of Joe Zawinul - are featured on the podcast, including:
“Milky Way” from Weather Report.
“Directions” from I Sing the Body Electric.
"A Remark You Made" - Previously Unreleased performance from the Boston Opera House, July 11, 1981
“The Juggler” from Heavy Weather.