RNCM Big Band with Laurence Cottle at the RNCM
Chris Horkan
The RNCM’s Summer Big Band show features a collaboration between Laurence Cottle and the college’s students, paying tribute to legendary American bassist Jaco Pastorius on the 30th anniversary of his death.
Best known for his work with Weather Report, Pastorius revolutionised how the bass guitar is played. He was one of the first to present the bass as a melodic lead instrument, a rare occurrence in the bass world where most just try to keep things simple and solid, and this is what set him apart from other players. For many (including Cottle) he was one of the most influential bass guitarists ever, during his prolific but all too short career.
Having transcribed and played Pastorius’ music for most of his professional life, Cottle is a commanding presence on fretless bass himself, evoking Pastorius’ signature sound with punchy, syncopated basslines. He has a mind-blowing CV, having worked with the likes of Brian Eno, Eric Clapton, Black Sabbath, Clark Tracey and numerous others.
The show will include Cottle’s Big Band arrangements of Pastorius classics including The Chicken, Liberty City, Three Views of a Secret and Weather Report’s Birdland.
