| Michael Brecker was one of my heroes since I first heard him (on record) in 1974. The piece, Billy Cobham's CROSSWIND, was one of the first five records I bought and boy was I lucky -- it opened so many doors and MBrecker just dominates.
I had the privilege of seeing him play twice and both evenings were unforgettable.
I value Mr. Brecker's post-funk work most. Although he had unmatched technique, his solo records show him moving far past technique into a realm of pure emotion. And what a sound! He packed more into ten seconds than many people put on an entire album.
Foremost, I appreciate Mr. Brecker for his purposeful choice to abandon a highly-lucrative studio career to devote himself to the music he truly loved. He was a tireless example for everyone who plays improvised music and his legacy will continue to inspire people for many years.
So sad. Play on . . .
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"We can give to those who listen to the essence the best of what we are. But to do that, at each stage we have to keep on cleaning the mirror." -- John Coltrane
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