Weather Report

Weather Report was a multinational jazz-funk/fusion ensemble that released 14 studio albums on Columbia between 1971 and 1986. Throughout its existence, the band was co-led by American saxophonist Wayne Shorter and Austrian keyboardist Joe Zawinul. Numerous rhythm players did stints with the band during its 15-year history, most notably drummers Alphonse Mouzon and Narada Michael Walden, percussionists Airto Moreira and Manolo Badrena, and bassists Miroslav Vitous, Alphonso Johnson, and Jaco Pastorius.

Members: Joe Zawinul (keyboards), Wayne Shorter (saxophone), Miroslav Vitous (bass, 1970-73), Airto Moreira (percussion, 1970-71), Alphonse Mouzon (drums, 1970-71), Eric Gravatt (drums, 1971-73), Dom Um Romão (percussion, 1971-74), Alphonso Johnson (bass, 1974-76), Ishmael Wilburn (drums, 1974), Skip Hadden (drums, 1974), Leon “Ndugu” Chancler (drums, timpani, cymbals, 1975), Alyrio Lima (percussion, 1975), Chester Thompson (drums, 1975), Narada Michael Walden (drums, 1975), Don Alias (congas, percussion, 1975), Jaco Pastorius (bass, 1976-81), Alex Acuña (drums, congas, percussion, 1976-77), Manolo Badrena (tambourine, congas, vocal, timbales, percussion, 1976-77), Peter Erskine (drums, 1978-82), Robert Thomas, Jr. (percussion, 1980), Victor Bailey (bass, 1982-86), Omar Hakim (drums, 1982-86), Jose Rossy (percussion, 1982-86), Mino Cinelu (percussion, 1985-86)

Weather Report was formed in late 1970 by jazz vets Wayne Shorter (sax) and Joe Zawinul (keyboards) and up-and-comer Miroslav Vitous (bass). Shorter and Zawinul first interacted a decade beforehand in Maynard Ferguson’s Big Band. More recently, they’d both played on the 1969/70 Miles Davis albums In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew. The Czech-born Vitous had played on Shorter’s 1969 release Super Nova. The initial lineup was rounded by drummer Alphonse Mouzon and Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira.

Weather Report

Weather Report released their self-titled debut album on May 12, 1971, on Columbia.

Live in Tokyo

On May 1, 1972, CBS-Sony issued Live in Tokyo, a live double-album by Weather Report. Its release was a limited to the Japanese market. However, two tracks were trimmed and cut for their next Western studio album.

I Sing the Body Electric

Weather Report released their second studio album, I Sing the Body Electric, on May 26, 1972, on Columbia.

Sweetnighter

Weather Report released their third album, Sweetnighter, on April 27, 1973, on Columbia.

Mysterious Traveller

Weather Report released their fourth album, Mysterious Traveller, on March 24, 1974, on Columbia.

Tale Spinnin’

Weather Report released their fifth album, Tale Spinnin’, in May 1975 on Columbia.

Black Market

Weather Report released their sixth album, Black Market, on March 11, 1976, on Columbia.

Heavy Weather

Weather Report released their seventh album, Heavy Weather, in March 1977 on Columbia.

Mr. Gone

Weather Report released their eighth album, Mr. Gone, in September 1978 on Columbia.

8:30

In August 1979, Weather Report released 8:30, a double-album with three sides of live material and a fourth side of new studio tracks.

Night Passage

Weather Report released their ninth studio album, Night Passage, in November 1980 on ARC–Columbia.

Weather Report

Weather Report released their tenth album, Weather Report, in January 1982 on ARC–Columbia.

Procession

Weather Report released their eleventh album, Procession, in February 1983 on Columbia.

Domino Theory

Weather Report released their twelfth album, Domino Theory, in February 1984 on Columbia.

Sportin’ Life

Weather Report released their thirteenth album, Sportin’ Life, in March 1985 on Columbia.

This Is This!

Weather Report released their fourteenth album, This Is This!, in June 1986 on Columbia.

Discography:

• Weather Report (1971)
• I Sing the Body Electric (1972)
• Sweetnighter (1973)
• Mysterious Traveller (1974)
• Tale Spinnin’ (1975)
• Black Market (1976)
• Heavy Weather (1977)
• Mr. Gone (1978)
• 8:30 (Live, 1979)
• Night Passage (1980)
• Weather Report (1982)
• Procession (1983)
• Domino Theory (1984)
• Sportin’ Life (1985)
• This Is This! (1986)
  

Sources:

• Discogs: Weather Report
• 45worlds: Weather Report
• Jazz-Funk Albums Directory (page 6)