Joe Zawinul, band leader, keyboard player and composer of the highest order, has passed away in his native Vienna from a rare form of skin cancer.

He was co-leader of the hugely influential Weather Report for 16 years, leader of his own Zawinul Syndicate for the last 20 years and sideman with jazz greats such as Miles Davis and Cannonball Adderley during the 60s.

He has been my greatest inspiration for a long time and a guiding light to me and many of the musicians I play with. The evenings I have spent at his concerts have been some of the most wonderful evenings of my life. He will be sorely missed and I urge anyone reading this who isn't aware of his work to check it out.

You can learn more about Joe by clicking on the links below.

Joe Zawinul - official website
Zawinul Online - great fansite
Telegraph - obituary
Times - obituary
You Tube Video - Weather Report in 1978
You Tube video - Zawinul Syndicate, July this year, Joe's final tour.

Paul