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1-23-07, 9:35 a.m.
Michael Brecker, a Grammy award-winning saxaphonist whose music spanned both jazz and rock genres, died January 13th in New York city following a two year battle with cancer. He was 57 years old.
Although his name may not have been familiar to music fans whose primary interests lie outside of jazz, chances are many have heard his work. Brecker's tone and style were instantly recognizable. College audiences, in particular, became familiar with Michael when he joined with brother Randy to form the jazz-rock aggregation, the Brecker Brothers.
He was widely sought as a session musician, as well, playing on records by James Taylor, Dire Straits, Steely Dan, and Frank Zappa, Luther Allison, Paul Simon, Elton John, Billy Joel and many others. He was also a member of Steps Ahead, the jazz-fusion supergroup.
While Brecker recorded precious few dates as a leader in his all too brief life, my personal favorite is "Tales from the Hudson," recorded for Impulse! and released in 1996. It features Brecker with McCoy Tyner, Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Don Alias, Joey Calderazzo and Pat Metheny. Brecker won a Grammy award in 2004 for the record, "Wide Angles" which featured him in a large ensemble format.
The opening song, "Slings and Arrows," puts on display Brecker's substantial technical abilities and nuance. An original Brecker composition, its title recalling Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune," proved sadly ironic for what was to lie ahead for Michael Brecker.
Two and one half years ago, Brecker was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a disease which used to be called "Preleukemia." The news stunned the music world and attempts were made to find bone marrow that would match Brecker. Michael's wife, Susan, issued a letter to the public that was both moving and informative about her husband's situation and the need for bone marrow donors.
Brecker's last public performance took place last June, when he was a surprise performer at Herbie Hancock's Carnegie Hall concert. As he walked on stage with his saxaphone, he was accorded a standing ovation.
It has been reported that Brecker may have completed a record shortly before his death. Whether or not this is true, there is ample recorded documentation to celebrate the music of this talented musician and decent, soft-spoken man who, like so many in the jazz and music worlds, left us too soon.
-Lawence Albright is a contributing writer on politics and culture for Political Affairs.
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