Jazz Articles about Michael Brecker

Michael Brecker (Verve: Time Is of the Essence

by David Adler
November 1, 1999

There's no doubting Michael Brecker's status as a tenor saxophone giant. As a composer and a leader of bands, however, he still seems to be searching'on the right track, but searching. His work for Impulse in the late 80s was slick and a bit ordinary'remember the ill-fated EWI?'and his live group during that period, featuring fusion guitar god Mike Stern, tended to eclipse music with muscle-flexing. But the muscle-flexing earned Brecker a devoted following among chops-hungry fusionheads wandering the halls ...

Michael Brecker: Time is of the Essence

by C. Michael Bailey
October 1, 1999

The Main Event. Michael Brecker’s sixth release is his first for Verve. Each Brecker album has been an event since his self-titled solo debut in 1987. Since that time, he has established himself as a meticulous craftsman who carefully composes his own music while cautiously choosing other’s to interpret. Time Is of The Essence finds Brecker leading an organ-driven quartet with three different drummers (and what drummers they are!)

The Time Keepers. Brecker is joined by the old guard (Elvin ...

Alan Pasqua: Dedications

by Glenn Astarita
September 1, 1999

Originally released in 1995 on the Postcards label, now owned by Arkadia Records, Dedications is pianist-composer Alan Pasqua's second release for the label which followed the critically acclaimed Milagro. On Dedications, Pasqua reaps the benefits of an all-star supporting cast which includes the mighty rhythm section of drummer Paul Motian and bassist Dave Holland. Pasqua, along with the talented horns of Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker and Gary Bartz, offers a generous mix whether performing in piano trio mode or utilizing ...

David Sanborn: Inside

by Ian Nicolson
May 1, 1999

Since the days when he left his hometown St Louis to play for the Butterfield Blues Band during the sixties Blues boom in California, Sanborn has worked hard at staying top dog among the LA studio sessioneers - and succeeded.He has also commuted effortlessly between sophisticated Jazzpop solo albums stressing his distinctive alto tone and R'n'B roots, and the occasional full-ahead Jazz outing - like 1990's Another Hand, or Upfront a year or two later. This time he's ...

Michael Brecker: Two Blocks From The Edge

by Robert Spencer
June 1, 1998

Two Blocks from the Edge is one of Michael Brecker's most impressive efforts. His tenor saxophone playing is at a peak of power and virtuosity. His band (pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist James Genus, drummer Jeff “Tain" Watts and percussionist Don Alias) stays with him every step of the way. Two Blocks from the Edge is an example of contemporary jazz at its best: it isn't a pallid rehash of the archives, but it isn't tuneless and forbidding either.

Of course, ...

Michael Brecker: Tales From the Hudson

by Dave Hughes
November 1, 1997

In the crowded field of excellent tenor players, Michael Brecker rises to the top of my list. I think the thing that gives Brecker an edge over the others is the fact that he is a master of so many genres of jazz. Many people are no doubt familiar with the electric, funky side of Michael Brecker as the co-leader of the Brecker Brothers and former member of Steps Ahead. He has done significant pop dates with Paul Simon, Carly ...