Jazz Articles about Michael Brecker

Alan Pasqua: Milagro

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

Milagro is pianist Alan Pasqua’s first date as a leader and a mighty impressive one at that! - Pasqua is an accomplished and much in demand jazz pianist who also shines as a composer on this gem while receiving first-rate support from the all-star rhythm section of bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette.

Pasqua’s “Acoma” commences in the classic piano trio format, as the pianist exhibits his penchant for simply stated melodies along with spurts of ambrosial romanticism augmented ...

Alan Pasqua: Milagro

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

Milagro is pianist Alan Pasqua's first date as a leader and a mighty impressive one at that! - Pasqua is an accomplished and much in demand jazz pianist who also shines as a composer on this gem while receiving first-rate support from the all-star rhythm section of bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette.

Pasqua's “Acoma" commences in the classic piano trio format, as the pianist exhibits his penchant for simply stated melodies along with spurts of ambrosial romanticism augmented ...

Michael Brecker: Time Is Of The Essence

by John Sharpe
February 1, 2000

Whether you’re selling beans or CD’s, it’s nice to have a “hook.” Having dynamo drummers Elvin Jones, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts and Bill Stewart on board certainly provide Time Is Of The Essence with abundant star power. Adding superstar guitarist Pat Metheny and B-3 master Larry Goldings further enhances the package. No doubt the cast is first-rate, but do they deliver? Are you kidding, these guys are pros! Tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker gives each drummer 3 tracks each, while Metheny and ...

Essential Michael Brecker

by Jason West
November 3, 1999

This article was originally published at All About Jazz in November 1999. Michael Brecker's contributions to music are generous and, like the pregnant ideas that flow from his tenor horn, they continue to grow. At 50, the saxophonist has found acceptance in a wide variety of musical settings, having performed with pop stars like John Lennon, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, and jazz heavyweights the likes of Freddie Hubbard, Charles Mingus, and Jaco Pastorius. Brecker's resume includes extensive work ...

Michael Brecker: Time Is Of the Essence

by C. Andrew Hovan
November 1, 1999

Able to successfully straddle the divide between mainstream jazz and its more commercial factions, Michael Brecker has had a successful run on Impulse since his self-titled debut in 1987. Now that the label has been swallowed up by the newly-formed conglomerate, the Verve Music Group, Brecker retains his contract and makes his debut on Verve with Time Is Of the Essence, a smart package that will please his legion of fans and just might twist the ears of others in ...

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 ...