Late Great Michael Brecker Wins 2 Grammy's
February 10 2008 - It was another reminder tonight of just how much Michael Brecker is missed. The late saxophonist picked up two Grammy Awards, 'Best Jazz Instrumental Solo' for his tune "Anagram" and the album it's from "Pilgrimage" won 'Best Jazz Instrumental Album.'


 
     
 

'Brecker died from complications of leukemia on January 13, 2007. Other Jazz Grammy's went to Herbie Hancock winning 'Best Contemporary Jazz Album' for "River: The Joni Letters," the star pianist's album also won the surprise "Album of the Year." Smooth Jazz mainstay Patti Austin picked up 'Best Jazz Vocal Album' for "Avant Gershwin." Also congratulations to Terence Blanchard winning 'Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album' with "A Tale Of God's Will (A Requiem For Katrina)." The 'Best Latin Jazz Album' was "Funk Tango" by Paquito D'Rivera Quintet. New Age album went to Paul Winter Consort picked up New Age album. - by John Beaudin

 
  
   


Michael Brecker's Final Album 'Pilgrimage' - "His Best"
May 2, 2007 - His family, friends and fans miss him dearly and on May 22nd everyone will hear Michael Brecker's last project - "Pilgrimage." It's a CD the famous tenor saxophonist worked on up until his death on January 13, 2007. In fact Brecker who died of leukemia at the age of 57 worked on the album two weeks before he died. The 11-time Grammy Award winner enlisted the help of some other heavy hitters in Jazz on "Pilgrimage" including pianists Herbie Hancock and Brad Mehldau, guitarist Pat Metheny, drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist John Patitucci. Metheny says, "I'm someone who's followed his thing very closely and this is his strongest batch of tunes. Every single piece of music is his thing at his very best." Darryl Pitt, Brecker's longtime friend and manager, says the saxophonist was very enthusiastic about the final work. According to Pitt, "In addition to the love of his family and friends, his work on this project helped keep him alive and will be another jewel in his legacy." The album will be released on Heads Up International. - by John Rolph

 
  
Michael Brecker in Serious Need of Help
July 29, 2005 - Michael Brecker, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment for a rare form of blood cancer, is in need of a stem cell donor (or bone marrow transplant). Becoming a donor involves a simple blood test which determines whether or not a potential donor is a match to the recipient. Michael and many like him, depend on those who have been tested and belong to registry in order to find a match. Blood relatives will often be tested at times like these, as sharing the same ancestry greatly increases the likelihood of a match. Michael's most likely match will be someone from the Ashkenazi bloodline. The many letters and cards which have been received (address previously provided) are appreciated and are helping to buoy Michael during this difficult time. Myelodysplastic Syndrome (also known as Preluekemia) is a serious blood cancer which causes severe anemia and its devastating results. When chemotherapy is unsuccessful in initiating remission of the disease, a bone marrow transplant is necessary. To find out more about donation visit www.marrow.org. Reports on Michael's progress can be found on his website (http://www.michaelbrecker.com), and you can e-mail him at info@michaelbrecker.com - by Cheryl Philips


Heads Up Celebrates 15 Years and Signs Walter Beasley, Najee and Michael Brecker
November 3, 2004 - Congratulations to Dave Love and the Heads Up label on their 15th Anniversary. The label will be honored via a live show at Berks Jazz Festival in Reading, Pennsylvania next March. When one thinks of the music labels that have come and gone in the last fifteen years it's easy to appreciate Heads Up that feature some of the biggest names in Contemporary Jazz including the Yellowjackets, Hiroshima and recent signings like saxophonists Walter Beasley, Michael Brecker and Najee. The latter will release his first album for the label in August 2005.