He may not have headlined an Ozzfest, Mayhem or Uproar festival and didn't have any diamond-selling albums, but bassist Jaco Pastorius has been a major influence on many of today's top players, and Metallica's Robert Trujillo wants to see him get more recognition.

The bassist is one of many in the music world who've been inspired by the jazz virtuoso over the years, and USA Today reports that Trujillo is financing a film about the bass legend. Trujillo says, "Jaco was my hero growing up. Hearing him was like hearing Eddie Van Halen doing 'Eruption' for the first time. You thought, 'What instrument is that?' I love jazz fusion and branched out from there. But Jaco had an edge that far exceeded his jazz persona. He was funk, he was rock, he was soul, and his whole attitude was punk."

Trujillo started his involvement with the project two years ago, and he's been working with director Stephen Kijak to ensure its completion. The film, tentatively titled 'Jaco,' will include commentary from Flea, Sting, Carlos Santana, and director Mike Figgis among others. At present, the goal is to have it ready for the Toronto Film Festival in September.

Pastorius died in 1986 at the age of 35 after being beaten in a bar alley, and had suffered from mental illness and bipolar disorder during his life. Trujillo says he only met his bass inspiration once and had hoped to help him out, but learned that he didn't want to be "rescued." During his life, Pastorius received two Grammy nominations and he was inducted into the 'Down Beat' Jazz Hall of Fame in 1988.

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