LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Michael Brecker passed away

Whacky -- 01/16/2007, 07:04:49 -- #32435

Tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker dies at age 57 in NYC By NAHAL TOOSI Associated Press Writer January 13, 2007, 6:26 PM EST NEW YORK -- Michael Brecker, a versatile and highly influential tenor saxophonist who won 11 Grammys over a career that spanned more than three decades, died Saturday at age 57. Brecker died in a hospital in New York City of leukemia, according to his longtime friend and manager, Darryl Pitt. In recent years, the saxophonist had struggled with myelodysplastic syndrome, a cancer in which the bone marrow stops producing enough healthy blood cells. The disease, known as MDS, often progresses to leukemia. Throughout his career, Brecker recorded and performed with numerous jazz and pop music leaders, including Herbie Hancock, James Taylor, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell, according to his Web site. His most recently released recording, Wide Angles, appeared on many top jazz lists and won two Grammys in 2004. His technique on the saxophon e was widely emulated, and his style was much-studied in music schools throughout the world. Jazziz magazine recently called him "inarguably the most influential tenor stylist of the last 25 years," according to a press release from his family. Though very sick, Brecker managed to record a final album, as yet untitled, that was completed just two weeks ago. Pitt said the musician was very enthusiastic about the final work. "In addition to the love of his family and friends, his work on this project helped keep him alive and will be another jewel in his legacy," Pitt said. Brecker, who had a home in Westchester County's Hastings-on-Hudson, was born in 1949 in Philadelphia to a musically inclined family. His father would take his sons to performances of jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington. Brecker, who first studied clarinet and alto saxophone, decided to pursue the tenor saxophone in high school after being inspired by the work of John Coltrane, according to his Web site. He followed his brother, Randy, a trumpet player, to Indiana University, but he left after a year for New York. In 1970, he helped found the jazz-rock group Dreams. He later joined his brother in pianist and composer Horace Silver's quintet. Michael and Randy also started the successful jazz-rock fusion group the Brecker Brothers. The two also owned the now-defunct downtown jazz club Seventh Avenue South. His solo career began in 1987, when his self-titled debut was voted "Jazz Album of the Year" in both Down Beat and Jazziz magazines. His struggle with the blood disease led him and his family to publicly encourage people to enroll in bone marrow donor programs. His own search for a donor led to an experimental blood stem cell transplant that "did not work as hoped," according to a May 2006 entry on his Web site. His illness silenced his music at times, but raising awareness of bone marrow drives gave him a new focus. "It's something that doesn't come naturally. ... I obviously miss playing and writing music," Brecker told The Associated Press in 2005. "On the other hand, this whole experience has allowed me to be a conduit to attract attention for a cause that's much larger than me ... for people to go get tested (for the marrow donor program) because I know a lot of lives will be saved." Brecker's survivors include his wife, Susan; his children, Jessica and Sam; his brother, Randy; and his sister, Emily Brecker Greenberg. Memorial services are being planned.

james3 -- 01/16/2007, 08:53:00 -- #32435

this is a sad day.  Thanks for the music and your talent Michael!

Scot -- 01/16/2007, 11:13:20 -- #32435

Wow... I hope really been hoping he could find a bone marrow transplant donor.  His ethnic background was so mixed up I guess they just couldn't find anyone. His music helped define a whole generation of sax players trying to find that next place to explore.  His compositions are as amazing as his playing.  At least there's a huge library of his music out there. If there is anyone not familiar with Brecker, start from the beginning (or one of the beginnings) and take a shot listening to some of the old Brecker Brothers recordings. My brother isn't going to like this one bit.  First Bob Berg a few years ago, now Michael Brecker.  The rest of the scene is full of people trying to sound like those guys. I've been lucky enough to see Michael Brecker play many times. The last time I saw Brecker was in Seattle at Jazz Alley about a year and a half ago. He was playing with Joey on the piano and I was sitting in a seat where I could have reached out with my right hand and tapped a key on Brecker's sax while at the same time stretching over and hitting a key on the piano.  I got to hear the show, a great quartet, from the point of the band, acoustic, because of where I was sitting.  Any further out and the house speakers would have taken over the sound. It was an inspiring evening of music.

Barry -- 01/16/2007, 17:57:50 -- #32435

Sad news indeed.  Michael Brecker was undoubtedly one of the most influential post-Coltrane sax players we have had the privilege of listening to.  I saw him at the Royal Festival Hall in London a couple of years ago and I'm glad I got to hear that amazing tone in person. RIP

jmkarns -- 01/19/2007, 12:10:04 -- #32435

Just heard another great collaboration of Brecker's recorded in 1988. "Tales From The Hudson".  Personnel include McCoy Tyner, Don Elias, Pat Metheny, and Dave Holland.   God Bless You Michael.

jmkarns -- 01/19/2007, 14:14:35 -- #32435

Sorry, make that 1996, and includes Jack DeJohnette

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