All musicians have heroes whom we emulate, imitate, and admire. For any singer or instrumentalist there is always a path that we can trace to see our musical lineage.
Most everyone who knows me, knows that I have the greatest admiration for saxophonist David Sanborn, and just about everyone in his lineage, but prior to my discovery, and subsequent friendship with the altoist, I was extremely moved by the sound of tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker...one half of the one of the most famous horn sections in the world, The Brecker Brothers.
Along with his equally talented brother Randy, Michael paved a way for people like me to enjoy our chosen instruments, not only by looking and sounding cool, but also being very New York hip...by being just damn good musicians.
During the rise of Disco music in the 70's, when instrumental music like jazz was losing favor among the so called "ultra chic," Michael and the the rest of the Brecker Brothers band were churning out some sounds that were a force to be reckoned with, and as a great result, Disco made its final bow, and we got back to music...with seasoned musicians.
I had the very good fortune to meet Mike in the early 80's at home in New York, and we became good friends, and through him I met and became close to a small cadre of musicians who were my heroes. Mike was an ever encouraging pat on the back when he'd see you in the street, a great cheerleader of musicians, much like Oprah Winfrey is for rest of the world, Michael Brecker was for us in the music world.
In recent years he battled serious illness, but still kept going, still kept playing, which for me has been a clear signal to keep reaching up from the shadows of music to the light.
I will always be grateful to Allah (God) for allowing me the privilege to befriend this wonderful, and ultra talented man, and in his spirit I will never cease trying.
When you hear the sound of the beautiful tenor saxophone, please think fondly of Michael Brecker.
Here is just a short list of CD's, and songs where you can get the essence of Michael:
1.The Brecker Brothers- "Back to Back," "I Love Wastin' Time With You."
2.Phoebe Snow- "Never Letting Go," "We're Children."
3.Steely Dan- "Gaucho," " Babylon Sisters."
4.James Brown- "Living In America," Living In America."
5.Horace Silver- "Song For My Father,"
Michael Brecker 1949-2007
Good night Brother.
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
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10 comments:
Hi Charlie T,
can't say I know them all, but great songs from Steely Dan and James Brown
Hiya Q, yeah those are very great songs.Mike was just a great horn player, and one helluva nice man.He will be sorely missed...by everyone.
Whether tragic events touch your family personally or are brought into your home via newspapers and television, you can help children cope with the anxiety that violence, death, and disasters can cause.
Listening and talking to children about their concerns can reassure them that they will be safe. Start by encouraging them to discuss how they have been affected by what is happening around them. Even young children may have specific questions about tragedies. Children react to stress at their own developmental level.
The Caring for Every Child's Mental Health Campaign offers these pointers for parents and other caregivers:
* Encourage children to ask questions. Listen to what they say. Provide comfort and assurance that address their specific fears. It's okay to admit you can't answer all of their questions.
* Talk on their level. Communicate with your children in a way they can understand. Don't get too technical or complicated.
* Find out what frightens them. Encourage your children to talk about fears they may have. They may worry that someone will harm them at school or that someone will try to hurt you.
* Focus on the positive. Reinforce the fact that most people are kind and caring. Remind your child of the heroic actions taken by ordinary people to help victims of tragedy.
* Pay attention. Your children's play and drawings may give you a glimpse into their questions or concerns. Ask them to tell you what is going on in the game or the picture. It's an opportunity to clarify any misconceptions, answer questions, and give reassurance.
* Develop a plan. Establish a family emergency plan for the future, such as a meeting place where everyone should gather if something unexpected happens in your family or neighborhood. It can help you and your children feel safer.
If you are concerned about your child's reaction to stress or trauma, call your physician or a community mental health center.
Mmmmm.... I loves me a good tenor sax!
I hate finding out about cool people after they're gone, though. :(
Hiya Rebecca, yeah it is sad to find people after their demise, but the good thing is that their music will always live on...
Cool site! Lets links exchange? :)
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Media Alert
For Immediate Release:
February, 24, 2007
Integrity Publicity
Contact: Sheryl Mandel
ssshekkie@aol.com
718.3532.5976
To all: May we kindly have a blurb/post, also requesting radio stations worldwide to participate.
It would mean a great deal ---Sheryl Mandel
Here is a letter I received today:
Sheryl,
As you know by now Michael Brecker passed away on January 13 after along courageous battle with MDS. His memorial in NYC last Tuesday was a beautiful and incredible as Michael was as a man and artist.
In honor of Michael I have done a 1 hour special that can be aired for radio. It covers Michael's more contemporary side from The Brecker Brothers. His solo work to Donald Fagen, Cameo and others. There are dedications from Bob James, Goerge Duke, John Scofield and more. I picked some of my favorite Brecker Contemporary performances and got the advice of others as well with the choice of material.
I am offering this show Gratis to anyone or any station who would like to air this. I am going to be talking with the radio promotion firm All That Jazz to help me solicit it as well.
I'm reaching out to everybody. Michael deserves as much recognition and accolades as possible. There is no doubt in my mind or the minds of many many artists, friends and fans around the world that Michael had a tremendous effect on the world of music and after hearing some of the testimonials on this show on many peoples lives as a beautiful person who always had the time to reach out to the many people who he cared about, even though through the years the demand on his time was incredible.
So as I mentioned this is available for no charge-Just want to share this show of reflections and music with anybody interested to air it. Feel free to pass this along.
Peace, Jason Miles
______________________________________________________
Michael Brecker
Michael Brecker (March 29, 1949 – January 13, 2007) was a popular US jazz saxophonist of the post-Coltrane era. He won 13 Grammys as both performer and composer. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Michael was exposed to jazz at an very early age by his dad, an gifted amateur jazz pianist. Michael was among the generation of jazz musicians that saw rock music not as the enemy, but as a viable musical option. He 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 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 Brecker, trombonist Barry Rogers, drummer Billy Cobham, Jeff Kent and Doug Lubahn. Dreams was short-lived, lasting only a year, but influential ( Point of interest : Miles Davis was seen at some gigs prior to his recording ).
Most of Brecker's early work is marked by an approach influenced 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, Thelonious Monk, and Sly Stone. The band followed jazz-rock trends of the time, 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, Michael put his stamp on numerous pop and rock recordings as a soloist. His more notable collaborations include those with James Taylor, James Brown, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Donald Fagen, Pat Metheny, Dire Straits Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, Phoebe Snow Yoko Ono,During the early 1980s, he was also a member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live band. Michael can be seen in the background sporting shades during Eddie Murphy’s James Brown parody (James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party). He also played sax briefly on Frank Zappa's live album Zappa in New York.
In 1982 he recorded an acclaimed album with German arranger/orchestrator Claus Ogerman, Cityscape, which was a six-part composition for saxophone and orchestra.
After a stint co-leading the all-star group Steps Ahead with Mike Mainieri, Michael 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 favored his Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone and a highly-customized Dave Guardala mouthpiece. He also played a Selmer "Super Balanced Action" (Super Action) tenor saxophone.
In 2005, Michael Brecker was diagnosed with the blood disorder myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Despite a widely-publicized worldwide search, Brecker was unable to find a matching stem cell donor. In late 2005, he was the recipient of an experimental partial matching stem cell transplant. As of late 2006 he was recovering, but it proved not to be a cure for him. Brecker made his return to public performance in June 2006, playing with Herbie Hancock at Carnegie Hall. His first recording after his illness was with bassist Chris Minh Doky on the album The Nomad Diaries, which was released in November 2006. Brecker managed to record a final album, as yet untitled, that was allegedly completed just weeks before his death.
On January 13, 2007 Michael Brecker died from complications of leukemia in New York City. His funeral was held on January 15, 007in his hometown of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY.
On February 11, 2007, Michael Brecker was awarded two posthumous Grammy awards for his involvement on his brother Randy's 2005 album Some Skunk Funk, bringing his Grammy total to 13.
The Independent - Obituary
Michael Brecker Online Memorial Tribute - share sympathy, condolences and tributes
--- Heaven will love his sound...S. Mandel
** For information on obtaining Jason Miles Tribute to Michael Brecker Radio Broadcast **
Please contact : Sheryl Mandel at: ssshekkie@aol.com
My deepest thoughts are with Michael's family and friends.
Michael touched so many lives in a very special way.
He is missed.
Best regards to all,
Sheryl Mandel
Integrity Publicity
ssshekkie@aol.com
718.352.5976
Another industry friend passes: In Memory of a dear talent JIM ALEXANDER, I invite you all to a wonderful night of music.
BROADWAY STARS WILL SHIMMER ON HOLLYWOOD FORD AMPHITHEATRES' STAGE
A ONE NITE ONLY PERFORMANCE OF TIM RICE'S MUSICAL "CHESS"
PART OF THE EVENINGS PROCEEDS TO BE DONATED TO Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
A one nite only performance of Tim Rice, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' musical "CHESS", produced by Brian Michael Purcell, slated for September 17, 2007 at The Ford Amphitheatre located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd., East, Hollywood, CA 90068, part of the proceeds will go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. (Ticket info TBA)
The show, which centers around a chess championship is regarded as ‘one of the best theatrical compositions ever written’ and features the story of a world championship chess match between the Americans and the Russians. Set during the end of the cold war in the 1970’s a romantic triangle develops when an American chess champion defends his title against a Russian opponent who secretly plans to defect to the West.
This edgy new production will feature musical direction by Dan Redfield (Little Women) and choreography by A.C. Ciulla (Footloose, Tony nomination) and a 24 piece orchestra.
The event will star Tony-nominee Susan Egan (Beauty and the Beast, Cabaret, Triumph of Love), Kevin Earley (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Miserables), Cindy Robinson (Into The Woods, Carousel, Peter Pan), Thomas Griffith (The Best Little Whorehouse Texas, 1776 at Hollywood Bowl), Tom Schmid (Annie Get Your Gun, The Last Empress) and Matthew Morrison (The Light in the Piazza, Hairspray tour, 10 Million Miles). The concert will be presented in honor of director and choreographer Jim Alexander, who passed away on May 25th of heart attack. Alexander was the former producing artistic director of the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. He received numerous awards and critical acclaim for his productions of West Side Story, Song and Dance, The Pirates of Penzance, A Chorus Line, Evita, Godspell, The World Goes ‘Round, Man of La Mancha, An Inspector Calls, Always...Patsy Cline, Peter Pan, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Die Fledermaus, Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on The Roof and Jesus Christ Superstar. He had most recently directed Song and Dance: Tell Me on a Sunday, starring his wife, Cindy Robinson, which opened on February 24th 2007 at The Deaf West Theatre in North Hollywood. He was also the Founder and CEO of The Quest Theatre Company.
The story: Producer Brian Michael Purcell wrote: "After the show that night (Song and Dance) we all went out for dinner and Jim and I started talking about the theatre business. It was like I was talking with another me. In the midst of our conversation Jim brings up that the next show he wanted to produce which was "Chess" Originally, Jim had talked to me about playing Freddie opposite Cindy in the production and I was very much interested. I also told him that I have a production company and why don’t we co-produce. He became very interested.
We came to an agreement about ideas for the cast, the look and concept of the show, etc. For the next month we had numerous lunch and phone meetings, we even looked at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood and fell in love with space and put a hold on it. Everything was going smoothly and the collaboration was on. I felt like we had been working with each other for years....(On the morning I learned that) Jim Alexander had suffered a fatal heart attack, I was speechless and cried for hours. I had not only lost a partner and mentor but a close friend. I could not even imagine how Cindy was feeling. But out of the darkest moments must come the light. I drove to the Ford that morning and put down the deposit for the show. I pulled myself as an actor out of the show and now I was in Jim’s shoes as Director and Producer. This is what Jim wanted and what he lived for. So there was no way I was not going to put this show on. It had meaning before being a fund raiser for BCEFA, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, but now it has even more meaning and heart! We are doing this in the memory of Jim Alexander husband, father, friend, producer, director and mentor to everyone he met."
More information will
be announced shortly.
The Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood California: 2580 Cahuenga Blvd., East, Hollywood, CA 90068
Box Office Info: 323-461-3673
About the John Anson Ford Anpitheheatre: Sitting on a scenic 45-acre parcel in the Cahuenga Pass, the 1,241-seat open-air amphitheater has a concrete design rebuilt by the WPA in 1931 to resemble the gates of Jerusalem.
Operated by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the amphitheater features an eclectic mix of music, dance and family events from May to October. It has been home to the June-through-September performance series "Summer Nights at the Ford" since 1993. Recently the county invested several million dollars in capital improvements to the facility, including the installation of an elevator. Always remember to bring a sweater.
This release may be distributed to media outlets and /or posted on websites, blogs and/or newsletters as seen in Broadwayworld.com Thank you!
Sidenotes:"Chess" came seventh in a BBC Radio 2 listener poll of the "Nation's Number One Essential Musicals" (wherein Nation refers to the United Kingdom).
For Media, Reviewers, Interviews
and Pre-Ticket Reservations
Please contact:
Promotional Director:
Sheryl Mandel
ssshekkie@aol.com
718-352-5976
*Sponsorship opportunity available*
Please email: Sheryl Mandel at
sshekkie@aol.com
Please join us and help spread the word about this important event!!! This will be a night of magic!!!
Correction on the spelling of the musical director for CHESS at the Ford Amphitheatre is DAN REDFELD
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