Feature Photo: Chris Hakkens, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Weather Report was founded in New York City in 1970 by keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, both of whom had been prominent figures in Miles Davis’s groundbreaking electric period. Zawinul, originally from Austria, and Shorter, from Newark, New Jersey, brought a forward-thinking vision to jazz fusion that drew on rock, funk, Latin, and world music influences. The initial lineup also included Czech bassist Miroslav Vitouš, drummer Alphonse Mouzon, and percussionist Airto Moreira, each bringing their own distinct voice and musical background.
The band’s self-titled debut album, Weather Report, released in 1971, established their innovative approach. Eschewing traditional jazz soloing for collective improvisation and mood, the record received critical acclaim and set the stage for a career marked by constant evolution. Their early albums, including I Sing the Body Electric (1972) and Sweetnighter (1973), experimented with electric instrumentation and groove-oriented compositions, gradually shaping the sound that would define the group.
By the mid-1970s, Weather Report solidified their place as leaders of jazz fusion with the release of Mysterious Traveller (1974), which won the DownBeat Readers’ Poll for Album of the Year. The lineup continued to shift, with Alphonso Johnson joining on bass and Chester Thompson on drums, before the arrival of Jaco Pastorius in 1976. Pastorius’s virtuoso bass playing and charismatic stage presence transformed the band’s dynamic, beginning with the landmark album Black Market (1976).
The band’s commercial and critical peak came with Heavy Weather (1977), which featured the enduring jazz standard “Birdland.” The album became one of the best-selling jazz records of its era, earning Weather Report a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance. “Birdland” in particular received wide acclaim, later covered by artists across genres and securing its place as one of jazz fusion’s signature compositions.
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Weather Report continued to evolve. Albums like Mr. Gone (1978), Night Passage (1980), and Procession (1983) demonstrated the group’s willingness to experiment with new technology and sounds. The lineup often shifted, with notable members including drummers Peter Erskine and Omar Hakim, and percussionists Manolo Badrena and Alex Acuña. Despite these changes, Zawinul and Shorter remained at the creative core, ensuring a consistent vision for the group.
Weather Report’s live performances became legendary for their intensity and spontaneity. The band recorded several live albums, most notably 8:30 (1979), which won the Grammy for Best Jazz Fusion Performance, further solidifying their reputation as one of the most innovative and electrifying groups in jazz history. Their concerts attracted a broad audience, extending well beyond traditional jazz circles.
Over their career, Weather Report released a total of fourteen studio albums, blending intricate compositions with improvisational brilliance. They earned multiple DownBeat Poll wins, Grammy Awards, and international accolades. Their influence extended far beyond jazz, impacting rock, funk, and even electronic musicians.
Beyond their musical output, members of Weather Report have left an indelible mark on modern music. Joe Zawinul went on to form the Zawinul Syndicate and became a leading figure in world music. Wayne Shorter continued to record and perform as one of jazz’s most respected saxophonists and composers. Jaco Pastorius, despite his brief tenure, is regarded as one of the most influential bassists in the history of the instrument.
Weather Report officially disbanded in 1986 after a final tour. Their catalog remains a touchstone for musicians and listeners alike, and their spirit of innovation continues to inspire new generations of artists. The band’s fearless approach to collaboration, boundary-pushing sound, and commitment to musical exploration have earned them a lasting legacy as one of the most important groups in twentieth-century music.
Complete List Of Weather Report Songs From A to Z
- 125th Street Congress – Sweetnighter – 1973
- 41st Parallel – Weather Report – 1982
- 8:30 – 8:30 – 1979
- A Remark You Made – Heavy Weather – 1977
- Adios – Sweetnighter – 1973
- American Tango – Mysterious Traveller – 1974
- And Then – Mr. Gone – 1978
- Badia – Tale Spinnin’ – 1975
- Badia / Boogie Woogie Waltz Medley – 8:30 – 1979
- Barbary Coast – Black Market – 1976
- Between The Thighs – Tale Spinnin’ – 1975
- Birdland – Heavy Weather – 1977
- Black Market – Black Market – 1976
- Blackthorn Rose – Mysterious Traveller – 1974
- Blue Sound – Note 3 – Domino Theory – 1984
- Boogie Woogie Waltz – Sweetnighter – 1973
- Brown Street – 8:30 – 1979
- Can It Be Done – Domino Theory – 1984
- Cannon Ball – Black Market – 1976
- China Blues – This Is This – 1986
- Confians – Sportin’ Life – 1985
- Consequently – This Is This – 1986
- Corner Pocket – Sportin’ Life – 1985
- Crazy About Jazz – Weather Report – 1982
- Crystal – I Sing The Body Electric – 1972
- Cucumber Slumber – Mysterious Traveller – 1974
- Current Affairs – Weather Report – 1982
- D♭ Waltz – Domino Theory – 1984
- Dara Factor One – Weather Report – 1982
- Dara Factor Two – Weather Report – 1982
- Direction – Weather Report Live In Tokyo – 1972
- Directions – I Sing The Body Electric – 1972
- Doctor Honoris Causa – Weather Report Live In Tokyo – 1972
- Domino Theory – Domino Theory – 1984
- Dr. Honoris Causa – I Sing The Body Electric – 1972
- Dream Clock – Night Passage – 1980
- Early Minor – Weather Report Live In Tokyo – 1972
- Elegant People – Black Market – 1976
- Eurydice – Weather Report – 1971
- Face On The Barroom Floor – Sportin’ Life – 1985
- Face The Fire – This Is This – 1986
- Fast City – Night Passage – 1980
- Five Short Stories – Tale Spinnin’ – 1975
- Forlorn – Night Passage – 1980
- Freezing Fire – Tale Spinnin’ – 1975
- Gibraltar – Black Market – 1976
- Harlequin – Heavy Weather – 1977
- Havona – Heavy Weather – 1977
- Herandnu – Black Market – 1976
- Hot Cargo – Sportin’ Life – 1985
- I’ll Never Forget You – This Is This – 1986
- Ice-Pick Willy – Sportin’ Life – 1985
- In A Silent Way – 8:30 – 1979
- Indiscretions – Sportin’ Life – 1985
- Jungle Book – Mysterious Traveller – 1974
- Jungle Stuff, Part I – This Is This – 1986
- Lost – Weather Report Live In Tokyo – 1972
- Lusitanos – Tale Spinnin’ – 1975
- Madagascar – Night Passage – 1980
- Man In The Green Shirt – Tale Spinnin’ – 1975
- Man With The Copper Fingers – This Is This – 1986
- Manolete – Sweetnighter – 1973
- Medley – I Sing The Body Electric – 1972
- Milky Way – Weather Report – 1971
- Molasses Run – Procession – 1983
- Morning Lake – Weather Report – 1971
- Mr. Gone – Mr. Gone – 1978
- Mysterious Traveller – Mysterious Traveller – 1974
- N.Y.C. – Weather Report – 1982
- Night Passage – Night Passage – 1980
- Non-Stop Home – Sweetnighter – 1973
- Nubian Sundance – Mysterious Traveller – 1974
- Orange Lady – Weather Report – 1971
- Palladíum – Heavy Weather – 1977
- Pearl On The Half Shell – Sportin’ Life – 1985
- Pinocchio – Mr. Gone – 1978
- Plaza Real – Procession – 1983
- Port Of Entry – Night Passage – 1980
- Predator – Domino Theory – 1984
- Procession – Procession – 1983
- Punk Jazz – Mr. Gone – 1978
- River People – Mr. Gone – 1978
- Rockin’ In Rhythm – Night Passage – 1980
- Rumba Mamá – Heavy Weather – 1977
- Scarlet Woman – Mysterious Traveller – 1974
- Second Sunday In August – I Sing The Body Electric – 1972
- Seventh Arrow – Weather Report – 1971
- Sightseeing – 8:30 – 1979
- Slang (Bass Solo) – 8:30 – 1979
- Speechless – Weather Report – 1982
- Surucucu – Weather Report Live In Tokyo – 1972
- Surucucú – I Sing The Body Electric – 1972
- Swamp Cabbage – Domino Theory – 1984
- T. H. – Weather Report Live In Tokyo – 1972
- T.H. – I Sing The Body Electric – 1972
- Tears – Weather Report – 1971
- Teen Town – Heavy Weather – 1977
- Thanks For The Memory (Tenor Sax Solo) – 8:30 – 1979
- The Dance – Weather Report – 1982
- The Elders – Mr. Gone – 1978
- The Juggler – Heavy Weather – 1977
- The Moors – I Sing The Body Electric – 1972
- The Orphan – 8:30 – 1979
- The Peasant – Domino Theory – 1984
- The Pursuit Of The Woman With The Feathered Hat – Mr. Gone – 1978
- The Well – Procession – 1983
- This Is This – This Is This – 1986
- Three Clowns – Black Market – 1976
- Three Views Of A Secret – Night Passage – 1980
- Two Lines – Procession – 1983
- Umbrellas – Weather Report – 1971
- Unknown Soldier – I Sing The Body Electric – 1972
- Update – This Is This – 1986
- Vertical Invader – I Sing The Body Electric – 1972
- Volcano For Hire – Weather Report – 1982
- Waterfall – Weather Report – 1971
- What’s Going On – Sportin’ Life – 1985
- When It Was Now – Weather Report – 1982
- Where The Moon Goes – Procession – 1983
- Will – Sweetnighter – 1973
- Young And Fine – Mr. Gone – 1978
Albums
Weather Report (1971): 8 songs
I Sing The Body Electric (1972): 10 songs
Weather Report Live In Tokyo (1972): 6 songs
Sweetnighter (1973): 6 songs
Mysterious Traveller (1974): 7 songs
Tale Spinnin’ (1975): 6 songs
Black Market (1976): 7 songs
Heavy Weather (1977): 8 songs
Mr. Gone (1978): 8 songs
8:30 (1979): 8 songs
Night Passage (1980): 8 songs
Weather Report (1982): 10 songs
Procession (1983): 6 songs
Domino Theory (1984): 7 songs
Sportin’ Life (1985): 8 songs
This Is This (1986): 8 songs
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Weather Report articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
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