Great Life Lessons That I Learned From Weather Report

In this personal analysis-based article, I will be exploring a series of great and essential life lessons that I learned from my all time most favourite jazz fusion band, more specifically Weather Report, which had been co-fronted by legendary keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter between 1970 and 1986 (and also included, at its peak of success and popularity, otherworldly and legendary bass virtuoso Jaco Pastorius).

First of all, I’d like to start by mentioning the fact that I’ve always been fascinated by the music of this band, as early as being a toddler. During my early childhood, one of my uncles had a van and when he drove around town in my hometown, Suceava, Romania, he used to play Weather Report as well. One of my cousins wasn’t particularly well-impressed by ‘Nubian Sundance’ from ‘Mysterious Traveller‘ whereas I was, according to a story told to me by another cousin of mine.

Anyway, fast forward during the late 2010s, I was spending a lot of time indoors in Aalborg, Denmark (away from the heavy weather and the harsh climate of southern Scandinavia) between 2017 and 2020 as an away bachelor student at Aalborg University (AAU for short). Life was tough and often times rather miserable and cruel outside (from several other standpoints than the weather), so the good news for me was that I at least had the chance to enjoy my own presence in a cozy student dorm (even though I moved places three times between 2017 and 2020, approximately once per year). I still lived at the IAO (i.e. International Accommodation Office) blocks of flats in the town centre there, but life wasn’t easy… Now, I am not complaining or whining, but telling the readers the truth. And it wasn’t entirely bad, therefore I am grateful for those times as they were (naturally a mixture of both good experiences and not so good experiences, as is life in general).

I was gifted nevertheless in my free/spare time with the possibility of listening to Weather Report’s music which calmed and relaxed me, soothing my existential anxiety and giving me relief a long, long way from home. When I returned to my home country in mid 2020 and to my hometown and then re-started my BSc studies at the local university in Suceava, I still listened to Weather Report and that’s what I’m currently doing to this day.

In point of fact, as I am writing these lines I am listening to ‘The Very Best of Weather Report‘ compilation on Youtube and I am enjoying a mild, beautiful summer day during my summer vacation. Any holiday that I take in the future cannot be better without Weather Report’s music, I swear!

Anyway, cutting a long story short and heading to the main point of this personal analysis-based article, here are the great life lessons that I learned from Weather Report throughout the passing of time (which prove so essential to my existence to this very day and beyond):

• Heavy weather: you can dress for it but you can’t escape it! Such is Earthly human life! Unpredictable, harsh, and tough… but, at least, you can prepare for it. You can’t escape it though…
• It is better to stand your ground during heavy weather, stay away a little bit, be an observer, relax, and wait for fair weather.
• Life is, essentially, is a moment (according to the words of Joe Zawinul whom I watched in a documentary). Make the most of this moment! I learned this very well before, but far more well once again metaphorically and musically through the words of senior Joe Zawinul! Living in the moment (i.e. in the present, in the present moment, to be more precise) is the best gift that you can do to yourself, kindly trust me on this one.
• Havona is the name of a universe in the Urantia Book.
• Being the juggler is not always easy, but it’s fun, creative, magical, fascinating, and extraordinary!
• River People is a great song to listen to if you also have memories around rivers (or fjords as well, if you will).
• Express your feelings towards your dear ones as in the notes and chords played in ‘Portrait of Tracy‘.
• A remark that I am going to make is going to be made softly, gently, intelligently, and introspectively just as in the notes and chords played in ‘A Remark You Made’.
• Wearing kufi caps looks pretty cool as well!
• And, last but not least, a Weather Report listener is an elegant man (analogous to the song Elegant People).

And I am very certain you, dear and respectful readers, are also elegant people! Thank you very much for your time, attention, and readership! Best regards!

P.S. Look out for heavy weather and may you always experience the magic of the song Havona!