Tremendously influential tenor saxophonist and 11-time Grammy-winner Michael Brecker passed away Saturday folowing a 2-1/2 year battle with leukemia. He was 57. Brecker recorded and performed as a bandleader, with the Brecker Brothers, and as a sideman with a who’s who of musical giants including jazzers Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Peter Erskine, McCoy Tyner, Billy Cobham, Jaco Pastorius, Mike Stern, and John Abercrombie, songstresses Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon, rockers from Aerosmith to Blue Oyster Cult, Eric Clapton to Dire Straits, Donald Fagen to Billy Joel, and Frank Zappa to Lou Reed, plus numerous film scores. Brecker’s credits are incredible and his influence is immeasurable – check out his site for a complete list. Word is that just a few weeks ago Brecker completed an album, still untitled, that will stand as his final musical legacy.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to The Marrow Foundation’s Time Is Of The Essence Fund (there’s a link and instructions on Brecker’s site). Our condolences to his family and friends.