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A jazz fusion group founded by Austrian pianist Joe Zawinul, American saxophonist Wayne Shorter and Czech bassist Miroslav Vitous, the group was conceived in 1970 with the style of experimental post-bop with percussionists Alphonse Mouzon, Eric Gravatt and Dom Um Romão.
After three albums, the trio gradually moved toward R&B/funk-influenced music with “Sweetnighter” in 1973. Presented with obstacles to transition from post-bop to jazz-funk, Zawinul ousted Vitous over creative differences and therefore changed personnel, especially in bassists and drummers as the years progressed. It was not until 1976 that Zawinul hired bassist Jaco Pastorius, and the group propel themselves to success in American music charts. They were nominated for Grammy awards for their album “Heavy Weather” and piece “Birdland”. Despite prospered success with a few more albums, the trio, Zawinul, Shorter and Pastorius, had personal commitments to developing their solo albums but were bounded by contract with Columbia as the band. Pastorius departed while the remaining duo brought in replacement sidemen until they finally disbanded in 1986.
