Michael Brecker, perhaps the greatest saxophonist of the past 25 years died this morning at the age of 57. I haven't seen it officially reported but I got the news from several people who know Michael personally. Bio Michael Brecker was exposed to jazz at an early age by his father, an amateur jazz pianist. Among the generation of jazz musicians that saw rock music not as the enemy but as a viable musical option, Brecker began studying clarinet, then moved to alto saxophone in school, eventually settling on the tenor saxophone as his primary instrument. After only a year at Indiana University, Michael Brecker moved to New York City in 1970 where he carved out a niche for himself as a dynamic and exciting jazz soloist. He first made his mark at age 21 as a member of the jazz/rock band Dreams — a band that included his older brother Randy, drummer Billy Cobham, Jeff Kent and Doug Lubahn. Dreams was short-lived, lasting only a year, but influential (Miles Davis was seen at some gigs prior to his recording "Jack Johnson") Most of Brecker's early work is marked by an approach informed as much by rock guitar as by R&B saxophone. After Dreams, he worked with Horace Silver and then Billy Cobham before once again teaming up with his Brother Randy to form the Brecker Brothers Band, which played fusion that was equal parts bar band, Monk, and Sly Stone. The band followed the trail blazed by Miles Davis's 70s bands and Weather Report, but with more attention to structured arrangements, a heavier backbeat, and a stronger rock influence. The band stayed together from 1975–1982 with consistent success and musicality. At the same time, Brecker put his stamp on numerous pop and rock recordings as a soloist. His more notable collaborations include those with James Taylor, Steely Dan, Donald Fagen and Joni Mitchell. During the early 80s he was also a member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live band. Brecker can be seen in the background sporting shades during Eddie Murphy’s James Brown parody, Get In The Hot Tub. After a stint co-leading the all-star group Steps Ahead with Mike Mainieri, Brecker finally recorded a solo album in 1987. That eponymously titled debut album marked his return to a more traditional jazz setting, highlighting his compositional talents and featuring the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument), which Brecker had previously played with Steps Ahead. He continued to record albums as a leader throughout the 1990s and 2000s, winning multiple Grammy Awards, and his solo and group tours consistently have sold out top jazz venues in major cities worldwide.
He'd been sick for a while, but I thought (due to his wife working on his behalf) he'd been getting better. I just put "Maxine" on a mix disc yesterday. Great, soulful, streamlined player.
First news article confirming it. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/w...3jan13,0,95642.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork I thought he was getting better too. In June, he made a surprise appearance when he sat in with Herbie Hancock at Carnegie Hall during the JVC Jazz Fest. And there were rumors he was recording again with the tracks to be released this year. I feel fortunate to have been able to see two of his final performances. I saw him with Herbie Hancock and Roy Hargrove in San Antonio and Houston. I'm pretty sure the Houston show was the last one of the tour and I think Brecker got sick before he could tour again.
