Friday, August 26, 2005
Friday Shuffle for Michael Brecker
Recently I learned that the great tenor saxophonist, Michael Brecker, has been diagnosed with a grave case of bone marrow cancer. (Hat-tip: Jazz and Blues Music Reviews.) His family is currently searching worldwide for potential blood and bone marrow donors to save his life, and is also encouraging contributions to The Marrow Foundation, which helps fund testing for those who would like to be added to an international registry of potential donors. These financial contributions, of course, assist not just Brecker's family, but other families in the same position. (And speaking of families that could use some help, I should have linked to this before now.)
Even if you are not a jazz fan, chances are you have heard Brecker play, since he has worked as a sideman for countless popular musicians, from John Lennon to Joni Mitchell, from James Brown to Chaka Khan, from Paul Simon to Carly Simon.
Last night I sent a brief email to Mr. Brecker through his website to let him know that he and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. It was a small thing to do, too small. But I wanted to let him know that I'll never forget seeing him perform at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore with Herbie Hancock, as part of the tour that produced the album, Live at Massey Hall. I especially won't forget his solo rendition of John Coltrane's "Naima," a stunning tour de force that was even more impressive and moving (as I remember it) than the version that made it onto the album.
After he finished the piece and the thunderous applause died down, I remember a voice from the balcony shouting, "Play it again!" The audience laughed, and Mr. Brecker jokingly leaned into the microphone again as if he was about to comply. I know I speak on behalf of all of Mr. Brecker's fans in looking forward to hearing him "play it again."
This week's shuffle contains some songs from my iTunes folder with Michael Brecker on sax.
1. "Delta City Blues," by Michael Brecker, from Two Blocks from The Edge
2. "Slippery When Wet," by Chick Corea, from Three Quartets
3. "Niño," by Michael Brecker, from Two Blocks from the Edge
4. "Bye George," by Michael Brecker, from Two Blocks from the Edge
5. "I Want You," by Horace Silver, from The Hardbop Grandpop
6. "Seven Days," by Michael Brecker, from The Nearness of You: The Ballad Book
7. "How Long 'Til the Sun," by Michael Brecker, from Two Blocks from the Edge
8. "Hairy Canary," by Chick Corea, from Three Quartets
9. "Diggin' on Dexter," by Horace Silver, from The Hardbop Grandpop
10. "Misstery," by Herbie Hancock et al., from Live at Massey Hall
11. "Naima," by Michael Brecker (solo), from Live at Massey Hall
Technorati Tags: fridayshuffle, brecker
Even if you are not a jazz fan, chances are you have heard Brecker play, since he has worked as a sideman for countless popular musicians, from John Lennon to Joni Mitchell, from James Brown to Chaka Khan, from Paul Simon to Carly Simon.
Last night I sent a brief email to Mr. Brecker through his website to let him know that he and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. It was a small thing to do, too small. But I wanted to let him know that I'll never forget seeing him perform at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore with Herbie Hancock, as part of the tour that produced the album, Live at Massey Hall. I especially won't forget his solo rendition of John Coltrane's "Naima," a stunning tour de force that was even more impressive and moving (as I remember it) than the version that made it onto the album.
After he finished the piece and the thunderous applause died down, I remember a voice from the balcony shouting, "Play it again!" The audience laughed, and Mr. Brecker jokingly leaned into the microphone again as if he was about to comply. I know I speak on behalf of all of Mr. Brecker's fans in looking forward to hearing him "play it again."
This week's shuffle contains some songs from my iTunes folder with Michael Brecker on sax.
1. "Delta City Blues," by Michael Brecker, from Two Blocks from The Edge
2. "Slippery When Wet," by Chick Corea, from Three Quartets
3. "Niño," by Michael Brecker, from Two Blocks from the Edge
4. "Bye George," by Michael Brecker, from Two Blocks from the Edge
5. "I Want You," by Horace Silver, from The Hardbop Grandpop
6. "Seven Days," by Michael Brecker, from The Nearness of You: The Ballad Book
7. "How Long 'Til the Sun," by Michael Brecker, from Two Blocks from the Edge
8. "Hairy Canary," by Chick Corea, from Three Quartets
9. "Diggin' on Dexter," by Horace Silver, from The Hardbop Grandpop
10. "Misstery," by Herbie Hancock et al., from Live at Massey Hall
11. "Naima," by Michael Brecker (solo), from Live at Massey Hall
Technorati Tags: fridayshuffle, brecker
Improvised @ 11:21 PM 
