Joe Zawinul, a visionary musician and artistic powerhouse, died today at age 75 from a form of cancer.
“Joe Zawinul was born on July 7, 1932 in earth time, and on September 11, 2007 in eternal time. He lives on,” his son, Erich said in a statement.
For those who know the name, there is no need to state Zawinul's credentials and his artistic influence. Sadly, however, I know it is only a few aficionados who will recognize his name and realize the significance of the loss.

Zawinul was an immigrant from Vienna best known for his founding role in Weather Report. That 1970s group, with Wayne Shorter and later, bassist Jaco Pastorius, is often labeled "jazz fusion" but that label does not do the band any justice. Weather Report was vibrant, exciting, virtuosic, dynamic, rhythmically overwhelming jazz and world music played with the skill of the world's best musicians.
Their music swept you away on an ocean of sound, took you for a ride, never let you know where you were going, moving you along like you were on a magic carpet. You just went with the flow, giving in to the childlike, spine-tingling excitement and joy of the music.
I loved Zawinul's description of it as "parade music". It did have that kind of size, mass, energy, and excitement, like a Brazilian mardi gras party on wheels.
I believe the music was so moving because it reflected the spirit and discipline and exuberance of the musicians' hearts and souls, their personalities and their integrity, their commitment to developing their God-given talents to the utmost, and performing as individuals and as a cohesive, living and breathing unit.
Just listen to fluid beats and soul-stirring keyboards of "Nubian Sundance," or the soaring, otherworldly dimensions of "Mysterious Traveler," and you'll see just how far-reaching and creative Weather Report could be.
After the breakup of Weather Report, Zawinul formed the Zawinul Syndicate, and that band continued to create the same sort of kinetic blend of world music and electrified jazz artistry.
I thank my brother, Rick, for introducing me to Weather Report when I was a teenager. Listening to their debut disc was an experience that, in a way, changed my life. I had never heard anything like it. And here, 30-odd years later, I still have never heard anything like WR.
The band had been scheduled to play at my college, Duke University, as an opening act for Earth, Wind and Fire but that show was canceled and I was told at the time it was for lack of ticket sales. I could not believe it. To me, it was a show comparable to seeing Elvis and the Beatles, and nobody bought tickets? I was mystified and miffed. I did see EW&F at other times but never had the privilege of seeing Weather Report live. However, I have cranked up their music so loud, with the subwoofer pumping out the bass, to the point where the floors were shaking and pictures were falling off the walls and the dog was running for cover under the bed ... So it was almost like seeing them live.
Joe Zawinul opened my mind, my ears, and my heart to the fantastic possibilities of music and how it can lift spirits and create joy and wonder out of thin air. Quite a legacy.
I am grateful he brought so much beauty into my life, and I know without a doubt that his music will live forever.
Sylvania, Ohio
Sept. 11, 2007