Gavin Walker
Jul 11, 2007, 11:26 PM
Tonight The Jazz Show will pay tribute to one of the most influential saxophonists of the last thirty years by featuring his last recorded document. Of course we are referring to the late Michael Brecker. Brecker was born in Philadelphia on March 29,1949 into a musical family. Michael died in a New York hospital from complications brought on by MDS(myelodysplastic syndrome) a rare form of cancer....the official cause of death was leukemia. He passed on January 13,2007, he was 57 years old. Because his death was such a trauma for the Jazz community and because Brecker was such an important part of that community his biographical details are very well known as all the major Jazz publications paid tribute to Michael. Brecker was of course influenced for most part by John Coltrane(what saxophonist hasn't been) and Brecker with his dark sound and intense delivery was able to combine Coltrane with the disciplines of Funk and R&B and come up with an original style that became one of the most emulated sounds in recent years. Brecker come on the scene in the late 1960's along with Bob Berg, Steve Grossman and David Liebman(Berg jokingly referred to himself and the rest as "the Jewish conspiracy"). Brecker was in the short-lived band 'Dreams' with drummer Billy Cobham and then joined(along with his older brother Randy) pianist Horace Silver's Quintet......after that his place in Jazz was set. Tonight's feature is Brecker's last recorded document and it is a beauty! Not only is Michael's playing at a very high level but his compositions are lyrical and moving........this is not a recording of a man in the throes of death but someone who is bursting with life. The reality, of course is that Brecker was suffering greatly and in intense pain but only Herbie Hancock, who appears on three compositions knew the extent of Brecker's illness, Brecker did not wish the others involved to know as it would affect them psychologically. Pianist Brad Mehldau plays on the other 5 tracks,Pat Metheny on guitars plays most effectively here along with John Patitucci on accoustic bass and the great Jack DeJohnette on drums. Brecker plays tenor saxophone throughout the album with a very limited use of the EWI(mostly in some ensembles). All the intensity,creativity and fire are there in this album called 'Pilgimage'.......a very worthy Jazz Feature. I had hoped to have saxophonist Terry Deane on the show to talk about his friend Michael Brecker but family affairs prevent this but Mr. Deane will appear on a show in the near future and you'll hear more from the great Michael Brecker.