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Josef Zawinul was an Austrian jazz keyboardist and composer, best known as one of the founding members of the jazz fusion band Weather Report. He composed the iconic jazz standard "Birdland," which became one of Weather Report's most popular and enduring pieces.

"Birdland" was inspired by the famous New York jazz club of the same name, where Zawinul often performed. The club was named after the legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker, whose nickname was "Bird." Zawinul's composition pays homage to the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere of the jazz scene at Birdland.

The song "Birdland" has been widely covered and remains a jazz classic. It earned Zawinul and Weather Report critical acclaim and is considered a landmark in the fusion genre. The distinctive synthesizer melody in the opening of the song has become instantly recognizable and is one of the most iconic moments in jazz music.