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The City of Oakland Park Florida took another important step in its downtown redevelopment at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 1st when City officials and other dignitaries cut the ribbon for the grand opening of Jaco Pastorius Park at 4000 North Dixie Highway.
The ceremony was followed by a free "Jazz on the Green" concert starting at 6:00 featuring several artists who were closely associated with the new park's legendary namesake Jaco Pastorius.
"We selected December 1st as this was Jaco's birthday," says Mayor Layne Dallett Walls. "And we are excited to feature performances from musicians who had personal connections to Jaco, as well as the jazz band from Northeast High School which Jaco attended."
Pastorius, who grew up near Oakland Park City Hall, showcased what would soon become extraordinary musical talents at Northeast High School. More than 20 years after his untimely death, he is still considered by many in the music industry as the world's greatest bass guitarist. During his short yet brilliant career Jaco also recorded albums with other jazz legends including, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell and the super-group Weather Report.
According to Parks and Leisure Services Director Jenna LaFleur, the 6 p.m. jazz concert features a "who's who" of South Florida jazz. The performers included legendary multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan, who was a major influence on Jaco during his early years, South Florida's favorite songstress Toni Bishop, steel drum virtuoso Othello Molineaux, who performed with Jaco throughout his career, hand drummer / percussionist Bobby Thomas, who played with Jaco in the fusion group Weather Report, and jazz guitarist Randy Bernsen who was a long time personal friend and protégé of Jaco's.
"We are pleased to present this free concert for our residents and anyone else who would like to come and see why we refer to Oakland Park as a 'hometown choice,'" said LaFleur, who encourages everyone to bring blankets or lawn chairs as the concert will take place on the park's large grassy field.
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