Michael Brecker: Tenor-saxophone
Joey Calderazzo: Piano
Chris Minh Doky: Double Bass
Jeff "Tain" Watts: Drums
STES AHEAD
Micheal Brecker: EWI, Tenor Sax
Mike Mainieri: Vibraphone, Synthesizer
Mike Stern: Guitar
Darryl Jones: Bass
Steve Gadd/ Steve Smith: Drums
THE BRECKERS BROTHERS BAND
Michael Brecker: EWI, Tenor-saxophone
Rhandy Brecker: Trumpet
George Whitty: Synthesizer
Mike Stern: Guitar
James Genus: Bass
Dennis Chambers (or) Dave Weckl: Drums
This Web site is dedicated to Michael Brecker (March 29th, 1949 - January 13th, 2007)
This is not an official site. All comments you send will be sent to his address and will be read by Susan and the kids.
"They needed good music upstairs..."
News
January 13th
I got the sad news from various of sources around the globe that Michael has lost his fight with leukemia. A great loss in modern jazz.
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.
Bio
A remarkable technician and a highly influential tenor saxophonist (the biggest influence on other tenors since Wayne Shorter), Michael Brecker took a long time before getting around to recording his first solo album. He spent much of his career as a top-notch studio player who often appeared backing pop singers, leading some jazz listeners to overlook his very strong improvising skills.
Brecker originally started on clarinet and alto before switching to tenor in high school. Early on, he played with rock and R&B-oriented bands. In 1969, he moved to New York, and soon joined Dreams, an early fusion group. Brecker was with Horace Silver during 1973-1974, gigged with Billy Cobham, and then co-led the Brecker Brothers (a commercially successful funk group) with his brother, trumpeter Randy Brecker, for most of the 1970s. He was with Steps (later Steps Ahead) in the early '80s, doubled on an EWI (electronic wind instrument), and made a countless number of studio sessions during the 1970s and '80s, popping up practically everywhere (including with James Taylor, Yoko Ono, and Paul Simon). With the release of his first album as a leader in 1987 (when he was already 38), Brecker started appearing more often in challenging jazz settings. He recorded additional sets as a leader (in 1988 and 1990), teamed up with McCoy Tyner on one of 1995's most rewarding jazz recordings, and toured with a reunited Brecker Brothers band. Two Blocks From the Edge followed in 1998, and a year later, Brecker returned with Time Is of the Essence. The early 2000s saw the release of Nearness of You: The Ballad Book and Wide Angles in 2001 and 2003 respectively.
However, after experiencing some mysterious back pain during a concert in 2005, Brecker was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a cancer of the blood marrow. A failed search for a matching bone marrow donor eventually led to an experimental partially matching blood stem cell transplant via his daughter in late 2005.
today i'm a sax player!!! I have to say one million thank to you if I do something good when I play!!! thank michael you'll be alweis in my heart and in my prey!!! gianluca
I went to church today and lit a candle for Mike and said a prayer. He is still in my heart and will always live in my life. Hope his family are well,and let them know my thoughts are with them on this anniversary. God bless Steve
To the family of Michael Brecker, Today s the commemoration of his passing. My deepest sympathy and payers goes out to you. One of the greatest gifts God give are Memories. You have all those beautiful memories he left you with to remember, his love,devotion and the good times he had with his family. This is how I look at it. He was a big inspiration to me. Seeing him in cleveland a few yrs ago was the most spiritual concert I have ever witnessed. I always said he was a direct extention of Trane. I want you to know we all miss him so and am sending love and peace your way.
One year. I can't believe how fast it went by. My mother just said the other day how weird it is that you're no longer here. Your music is and always will be a huge part of my family.
I thank you very much for giving added between friends, great master supreme MICHAEL BRECKER! I am honored to be able to remember the loss of MICHAEL one year ago today with all musicians from all over the planet one of the biggest innovators jazZ music and all music in general, inventor of the modern saxophone language that no one had ever reached and nobody could reach him and get it is and will be forever the supreme great and unique "MICHAEL BRECKER"! Thanks again Mauro Capitale saxophonist Italian musician
I don't know how I overlooked your in Philly...My whole new CD is based on Philly Music...We have some mutual associations in the music world too...Small World:) Tim Fonseca
