Thinking of Michael...

My thoughts and listening have been dwelling on Michael Brecker of late. I was doing some study of Kenny Wheeler's composition recently and I pulled out Double Double You and ended up with tears in my eyes as I listened to Michael play. That led me through so much of his music that I haven't listened to for a while. 80/81, Three Quartets, Don't Try This At Home and many others. I still have a tough time with Pilgrimage. It's really tough for me to listen to that one...so many emotions are tied to it for me. The fact that I am so connected to Michael's music is a little funny in a way, I came to Brecker late (relatively speaking). I really never heard Brecker until I was in college, specifically the early 90s with Three Quartets. I grew up listening mainly to the "Big 4" of Trane, Wayne, Joe, and Sonny. About the only modern players I listened to were Branford and Lieb. I had heard of and about Michael, but I very naively "couldn't be bothered" to check him out in my high school days, ironic since learning of how close he and Lieb were and the esteem in which he still holds Michael. When I heard Three Quartets, it was one of those life changing moments. The sound, intensity, harmonic sophistication, everything just shattered my entire world. I never became a disciple the way some did, but I certainly checked him out whenever I could (I first heard him live with Paul Simon around that time). I remember doing my first Brecker Transcription (The Meaning of The Blues) in 1992 or 1993. It was during that exploration that I really started to see what all the fuss was about. He made everything sound so effortless that I was fooled into thinking the solo I was transcribing was much easier than it was.

Fast forward to 2007, I'm at IAJE when the word starts spreading around. The grief and sadness was palpable. I remember walking around and seeing all of my heroes absolutely stricken. An image that will stay with me forever was seeing Rick Margitza and Lieb sitting together with tears in their eyes the emptiest looks on their faces...so sad.

It goes without saying that Michael was a touchstone. He became an archetype of saxophone playing years ago and will continue to be one forever. I suppose that every sax player has a Brecker story. Here's mine: During the "Directions In Music" tour in 2002 or 2003, the group played at Ravinia in Chicago. My family and I went and had lawn seats. It was a typical outdoors summer concert, kids running around, people eating and drinking, a very pleasant, albeit slightly noisy evening. Michael did his solo version of Namia that night and over the course of the 10 minutes, the lawn got as quiet as I had EVER heard it. I like to tell people that even the crickets shut up!

That's what it was about his playing for me. Not the technique, sound or harmonic sophistication (although that is all great), but it was the way he could draw you in to what he was doing.

I miss him.

A brief pause...

from the run up to Newport Jazz Festival to pay tribute.

John Hughes has left town...59!!

In memorial....

The Newport videos will return tomorrow.

Bud Shank (1926-2009)

I was saddened to learn of Bud Shank's passing this weekend.

When I was an undergrad student at NIU, the program was great about bringing in artists for long residencies and performance tours. Bud was the guest artist during the Fall semester of my Freshman year.

I was entranced by his playing and his lectures and clinics we very formative for me. I was really effected by his honesty, frankness and depth of knowledge without being pedantic. I remember a great conversation we had about how I felt there there was too much polarity in music and he paid me a very nice compliment about my "mature outlook". Needless to say, I was buzzing for weeks on that. His alto playing continues to knock me out and his music will be in heavy rotation today.

Here is a link to Doug Ramsey's remembrance and a KILLIN video...

RIP Freddie

Many of us will know that Freddie has not been well lately.   Today, I received the very sad news that he passed this morning.  Here is Downbeat's obit.

Freddie has always been an inspiration to me - some of the most swinging' eighth notes ever!!

I heard him live a couple of times, both in the 80's.  He was one of the first trumpet players I REALLY LISTENED to.

In tribute, enjoy this clip of Freddie playing some amazing stuff...

"I hope for peace and sanity — it's the same thing." - Studs Turkel

Studs Turklel has passed.

I have read several of Turkel's books including: "Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do", "Race: What Blacks and Whites Think and Feel About The American Obsession" and "Giants of Jazz".  I have been greatly affected by both his writing and his contributions to Chicago radio.  His observations were invaluable to my beginning to understand a bit about the human condition.  I will miss hearing his voice. 

"Take it easy...but take it!"

Amen to that, Studs!

Here is a link to The Trib's story.

RIP Little Giant

Here is the sad news...

Another voice silenced

Bo Diddley has left town.

DJA has a nice video up at his blog.  I'll echo his thoughts about Bo's sense of time.  I defy you not to move when you hear him play!

The Man With The Time

By now, most will know that Denis Irwin left town on March 10th.  Read here and here for some wonderful remembrances.  I was deeply ensconced with some familial issues during that time frame so I heard the news late and am just now adding my thoughts.

I remember in 1992/93 a friend of mine busting into my room at NIU with the new Scofield Quartet CD "What We Do".  I had been following Sco's group out of my love for all things Lovano and was itching to hear the new side.  By the time we got to track 8 (Why Nogales) I was hooked on this record.  "Why Nogales" features some incredible bass work by Dennis that made me an Irwin fan from then on.  As with most things, after I became aware of Dennis, he started popping up on records (or, more to the point, I began noticing him on records) all over the place.  

His issues of late have been well documented.  I came across this wonderful video tribute that Bret Primack put together before Dennis passed.  Anyone who knows that much Lord Buckley deserves a special place in history!

It goes without saying that he'll be missed.

 

Sad News

Piano guru Oscar Peterson has left town.  

Two of my favorite recordings have always been "Oscar Peterson Trio + One with Clark Terry" and "Stan Getz and the Oscar Peterson Trio".  His playing was always the epitome of taste and swing.

He will be missed.

Chicago Tribune Obit