Michael Brecker died 13 years ago today. Share your Brecker stories...
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I only heard Mike play live three times. The first was at the Annenberg Center at UPENN. I was in the front row, right in front of him. It was great to hear what he sounded like aside from the sound system!
The second time was at Birdland with Liebman and Lavano - so killin'! Still, that's not when I actually met Mike.
I met Mike when he came (back) to Philly with Herbie and the band that also included Roy Hargrove. It was at the Kimmel Center!
He wasn't really taking visitors but knew that I was, at the time, studying with a friend with whom he had recorded probably 100s of songs in many studio orchestras, etc over the years.
Mike was super nice and I felt like I had just met the greatest force in the musical universe.
When I heard he was sick, I took the summer to go around to every great Jazz player I knew around Philadelphia to get them to sign a HUGE card for Mike. Bootsie Barnes, Larry McKenna, John Swanna, etc. I went to a lot of concerts that summer...
Mike got the card during one chemotherapy treatment. Then, I got an email from him. We began a friendship from that point until he passed. To be honest, we rarely talked about music directly. WE mainly spoke about life and how connecting with people and connecting spiritually to things greatly influences choices within each moment.
One of our last conversations was about how he was happy practicing for 15min a day and finishing the mix on a new album (Pilgrimage). I'll never forget the gift of his friendship. His memory is truly a blessing.
The second time was at Birdland with Liebman and Lavano - so killin'! Still, that's not when I actually met Mike.
I met Mike when he came (back) to Philly with Herbie and the band that also included Roy Hargrove. It was at the Kimmel Center!
He wasn't really taking visitors but knew that I was, at the time, studying with a friend with whom he had recorded probably 100s of songs in many studio orchestras, etc over the years.
Mike was super nice and I felt like I had just met the greatest force in the musical universe.
When I heard he was sick, I took the summer to go around to every great Jazz player I knew around Philadelphia to get them to sign a HUGE card for Mike. Bootsie Barnes, Larry McKenna, John Swanna, etc. I went to a lot of concerts that summer...
Mike got the card during one chemotherapy treatment. Then, I got an email from him. We began a friendship from that point until he passed. To be honest, we rarely talked about music directly. WE mainly spoke about life and how connecting with people and connecting spiritually to things greatly influences choices within each moment.
One of our last conversations was about how he was happy practicing for 15min a day and finishing the mix on a new album (Pilgrimage). I'll never forget the gift of his friendship. His memory is truly a blessing.
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I never met Michael Brecker in person. The one time I saw him play live was after Tales From The Hudson came out. He was with Patitucci, Tain, and Calderazzo. Brecker was a total virtuoso, from the very first line he played, the hair on the back of my neck stood up, and I remember thinking to myself, this is what it must have been like when people first heard Bird play live.
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The only time I went to a concert with Michael Brecker on stage was in 2005 when he toured with the quindectet in Europe. I was studying saxophone at the university at that time and a lucky guy: My teacher had a ticket but couldn't go for some family reasons. The day before the concert he called me and asked if I would take the ticket and I immediately said yes, how could I have refused!
The next day my teacher's bandmate, a guitar player picked me up and when we arrived at the venue the whole southwestern jazz scene from Germany was there in the two front rows. It was late summer and open air and although you could visually recognize that Mike was into therapy already the whole concert was a mere blast. He was in top shape musically and I remember they brought their own mixing crew. The sound couldn't get any better that eve, and then the great lineup on stage... I remember Gil Goldstein conducting the whole band from his Rhodes, a killing Clarence Penn on drums and Tim Ries (also on tenor) filling with some nice solos. The magic happend when Michael grabbed his new EWI prototype and did one of his well known live renditions on it, I couldn't believe one could play so expressively on an electronic device when I heard that! At the end of the event half of the first row, all musicians, raised up and when Mike left the stage they lost control over themselves, yelled and tried to get after him to get him back out for some more of his magic - as if he was a saint or a spiritual leader they would worship.
I couldn't move. I was shocked and deeply impressed for the rest of the week by this day, I had never experienced anything like that before.
When I told my piano teacher at university the next day about what had happened, a man with no knowledge of jazz but a true and responsible musician's musician deeply into spirituality and art he just said: "Well, it sounds like you've just encountered the sense of your living".
I'm still grateful for everything that took place in these two days, an impact for sure in my musical life.
The next day my teacher's bandmate, a guitar player picked me up and when we arrived at the venue the whole southwestern jazz scene from Germany was there in the two front rows. It was late summer and open air and although you could visually recognize that Mike was into therapy already the whole concert was a mere blast. He was in top shape musically and I remember they brought their own mixing crew. The sound couldn't get any better that eve, and then the great lineup on stage... I remember Gil Goldstein conducting the whole band from his Rhodes, a killing Clarence Penn on drums and Tim Ries (also on tenor) filling with some nice solos. The magic happend when Michael grabbed his new EWI prototype and did one of his well known live renditions on it, I couldn't believe one could play so expressively on an electronic device when I heard that! At the end of the event half of the first row, all musicians, raised up and when Mike left the stage they lost control over themselves, yelled and tried to get after him to get him back out for some more of his magic - as if he was a saint or a spiritual leader they would worship.
I couldn't move. I was shocked and deeply impressed for the rest of the week by this day, I had never experienced anything like that before.
When I told my piano teacher at university the next day about what had happened, a man with no knowledge of jazz but a true and responsible musician's musician deeply into spirituality and art he just said: "Well, it sounds like you've just encountered the sense of your living".
I'm still grateful for everything that took place in these two days, an impact for sure in my musical life.
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I wish I had met him. I don't have any personal stories. I heard him play live only once, and it was mind boggling. Up to that point, I hadn't paid that much attention to him, I think because I pigeon-holed him as a "fusion" player who also did a lot of pop records, and at that time I didn't much care for fusion or pop. Suffice to say it was a near-religious experience being in the same room, hearing that sound, and finally realizing how incredibly good he was.
These days I think of him as not only one of the very greatest saxophonists of all time, right up there with Bird and Coltrane, but also as a remarkable human being who, by all accounts, was as kind and humble as he was brilliant. What shame that he died so young. But what incredible legacy he left us.
These days I think of him as not only one of the very greatest saxophonists of all time, right up there with Bird and Coltrane, but also as a remarkable human being who, by all accounts, was as kind and humble as he was brilliant. What shame that he died so young. But what incredible legacy he left us.
Sax, Flute, Keyboard, Vocal
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I saw him with Hervbie Handcock in Oakland at a big venue. I was trying to guess what percentage of the audiance played sax?? After the gig we knew someone involved in back stage we went to the green room I shook his hand but had no clue what to say. You are amazing, you are why I bought a tenor. Etc. So I said nothing. Tougue tied. I wish I had told him how he made me feel. K
I was lucky enough to see him play live, twice, both in the UK. One was a bonus, in an already stonking live performance; the Paul Simon tour, a huge band, combining 'Rhythm of the Saints' with Graceland. MB was, of course leading the horns throughout, occasionally with a EWI. In the middle of the evening, there was a half hour intermission; actually a set of Mike Brecker leading his own band...!
A colleague had been due to attend the same gig; he even had a ticket gratis, perhaps a favour as he was a promoter. He didn't go, perhaps due to a dinner running late. The next day, he asked me how good it was, adding "...you'd better not say just how good..!"
I had to be honest, and tell it was probably the best live gig I had ever seen, up to that point! :mrgreen:
A colleague had been due to attend the same gig; he even had a ticket gratis, perhaps a favour as he was a promoter. He didn't go, perhaps due to a dinner running late. The next day, he asked me how good it was, adding "...you'd better not say just how good..!"
I had to be honest, and tell it was probably the best live gig I had ever seen, up to that point! :mrgreen:
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I got to hear him twice live. The first was in 2000 during my first year of college. I wasn't sure if I wanted to be a musician for a living, and was between that and computer science. I went to a clinic of his, and sat about 4-5 feet from his bell. He opened the clinic by blowing over "Impressions". As others have said, I had instant goosebumps. I didn't know the saxophone could sound like that. I was a fairly timid player at that time, and played the opposite of aggressive. To hear so much energy put into a horn in person blew my mind. That begun a very long "Brecker binge" where he was basically all I listened to, I even fell asleep to it just about every night.
I got to briefly chat with him a couple of times during his visit. He played two clinics and two concerts over two days. Really, he just apologized that he was playing a lot of the same licks between both nights. I couldn't tell, and I'm guessing nobody else could either. During the clinic, he talked about how he was a slow learner, and that stuff he's practicing now didn't show up in his playing for at least 6 months. If he tried to force it, it always backfired. I didn't get what he meant then, but I sure do now. The level of humility that he showed was a really good lesson. If someone like HIM was that humble and friendly, I'd better do the same!
It was literally a life-changing weekend (although I didn't realize it at the time), and I'll always be thankful for that.
I got to briefly chat with him a couple of times during his visit. He played two clinics and two concerts over two days. Really, he just apologized that he was playing a lot of the same licks between both nights. I couldn't tell, and I'm guessing nobody else could either. During the clinic, he talked about how he was a slow learner, and that stuff he's practicing now didn't show up in his playing for at least 6 months. If he tried to force it, it always backfired. I didn't get what he meant then, but I sure do now. The level of humility that he showed was a really good lesson. If someone like HIM was that humble and friendly, I'd better do the same!
It was literally a life-changing weekend (although I didn't realize it at the time), and I'll always be thankful for that.
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I saw him first way back in the early 90s with Paul Simon. He took a long EWI soLo while the rest of the band took a break. First time I ever heard somebody using loop technology.
Saw him twice at Yoshi‘s in Oakland. First time was with McCoy Tyner. I don’t remember the rest of the band. Second time with Joey Calderazzo, Jeff Watts and James Genus. On the second gig he’d changed his embouchure and gone with a soft reed. He was like a classical virtuoso. Playing entire phrases with just the bottom three keys (all harmonics)
He was also very congenial on stage and had great stories. He was excited about playing in Europe solo SaxoPhone up in the mountains. He was a little concerned about having to hike all the way to the location. I wonder if he was feeling sick then?
Simply stated he was one of the Greats! Right up there with Coletrane and Bird .
Saw him twice at Yoshi‘s in Oakland. First time was with McCoy Tyner. I don’t remember the rest of the band. Second time with Joey Calderazzo, Jeff Watts and James Genus. On the second gig he’d changed his embouchure and gone with a soft reed. He was like a classical virtuoso. Playing entire phrases with just the bottom three keys (all harmonics)
He was also very congenial on stage and had great stories. He was excited about playing in Europe solo SaxoPhone up in the mountains. He was a little concerned about having to hike all the way to the location. I wonder if he was feeling sick then?
Simply stated he was one of the Greats! Right up there with Coletrane and Bird .
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I've posted part of this story before on SOTW, but I think it's worth repeating. Around 1976-77 Mike and Randy were doing a week long gig with Hal Galper at Montreal's Rising Sun club. As a struggling jazz player, I went the first night and begged Mike for a lesson. He said he doesn't give lessons but to drop by his hotel and he'd show me some licks. Whoa! So a sax buddy and I went by the next day and ended up hanging out with Mike a lot that week. The nicest guy you'd ever meet and then some. Yes, I played his Link and Dukoff (I hated them) and his Mark VI (loved it!). He tried my Berg (he hated it!) and my VI (he meh'd it!!). He did teach me a great lick that I still practice every day and we just hung and talked about life, careers, music & gear, chicks and sports.
Around Thursday he was complaining about a lot of leaks on his horn, so I suggested a sax repair shop that I used. We phoned them at about 4:55 and they said they were closing at 5:00. I said "I've got Mike Brecker in the cab and we're on the way - please don't close." When we got there and I introduced Mike, they were just thrilled to meet him - and he was extremely humble and grateful for the late day repairs. They wouldn't take a penny from him.
We then ended up at Schwartz's Smoked Meat Deli for some famous Montreal Smoked Meat sandwiches (and a case of 3-day heartburn!) As per tradition, while you're waiting at Schwartz's, a waiter often brings you some Karnatzel. Karnatzel is an ugly, dried, cigar-shaped beef sausage, about the width of a nickel and seasoned with garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs. Never having seen such a strange looking edible, I remember Mike saying, "Hey, it's been ages since I've had a nice serving of dried gorilla dick!!" Indeed, much ribald laughter ensued.
Here's the real fun part: That week, we went almost every night (except Friday) to hear The Breckers and Galper. Now, The Rising Sun was a club that I had played at every month for over a year. As I was well known to the owner and staff, I never paid to see other acts. BUT by Saturday night (last night of the stand), there was a long lineup to get in and the owner insisted that I and my two band mates pay!! At that second, Mike came up the stairs and saw us arguing with the owner. He asked the owner "What's the deal?" The owner said "Hey - they've got to pay." Mike said "No - they're my personal guests! C'mon guys." And we just walked in with him. No problem. Later that night, I was sitting at a table with about six of my university music school sax buddies who had shown up late. Mike comes by, slaps me on the shoulder and says - "Hey man, where the hell were you last night!!?? I can't believe you missed the show, I was looking for you! It was my best night of the week." All the sax students looked at me - jaws dropped - like Mike and I were old pals and they just couldn't believe it. Then Mike pulled me aside and we went to the dressing room for beer and swappin' fishin' lies. Such a cool, brilliant, unique dude.
RIP Mike.
Around Thursday he was complaining about a lot of leaks on his horn, so I suggested a sax repair shop that I used. We phoned them at about 4:55 and they said they were closing at 5:00. I said "I've got Mike Brecker in the cab and we're on the way - please don't close." When we got there and I introduced Mike, they were just thrilled to meet him - and he was extremely humble and grateful for the late day repairs. They wouldn't take a penny from him.
We then ended up at Schwartz's Smoked Meat Deli for some famous Montreal Smoked Meat sandwiches (and a case of 3-day heartburn!) As per tradition, while you're waiting at Schwartz's, a waiter often brings you some Karnatzel. Karnatzel is an ugly, dried, cigar-shaped beef sausage, about the width of a nickel and seasoned with garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs. Never having seen such a strange looking edible, I remember Mike saying, "Hey, it's been ages since I've had a nice serving of dried gorilla dick!!" Indeed, much ribald laughter ensued.
Here's the real fun part: That week, we went almost every night (except Friday) to hear The Breckers and Galper. Now, The Rising Sun was a club that I had played at every month for over a year. As I was well known to the owner and staff, I never paid to see other acts. BUT by Saturday night (last night of the stand), there was a long lineup to get in and the owner insisted that I and my two band mates pay!! At that second, Mike came up the stairs and saw us arguing with the owner. He asked the owner "What's the deal?" The owner said "Hey - they've got to pay." Mike said "No - they're my personal guests! C'mon guys." And we just walked in with him. No problem. Later that night, I was sitting at a table with about six of my university music school sax buddies who had shown up late. Mike comes by, slaps me on the shoulder and says - "Hey man, where the hell were you last night!!?? I can't believe you missed the show, I was looking for you! It was my best night of the week." All the sax students looked at me - jaws dropped - like Mike and I were old pals and they just couldn't believe it. Then Mike pulled me aside and we went to the dressing room for beer and swappin' fishin' lies. Such a cool, brilliant, unique dude.
RIP Mike.
I saw Mike 7 or 8 times, can't be sure. Any world without Michael Brecker would have been dull and boring. He is not gone, the sounds of his horn reverberate through my head every day of my life and I thank the cosmos for putting me on this planet while he was here. I met him several times and even spent an afternoon at his flat checking out neck pieces. He was everything you all have said of him and more. People like him are very rare, well actually, he was a one of a kind that could never be copied...although many of us have tried! Thanks for the music, Mike.
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I was blessed to have heard him live at old Yoshi's in Oakland and Kuumbwa in Santa Cruz - two of the most memorable live jazz experiences in my life. You must listen to the YouTube video of Brecker's master class at North Texas State talking very openly about his musical development and keen insight into music. What a phenomenal artist and mensch who we sadly lost way too soon.
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