Original Rays – 1989

Michael Brecker

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Michael Brecker (1949-2007) was one of the most important tenor-saxophonists to emerge in the 1970s and is now considered one of the greatest of all time.

For this performance from 1989, at first Brecker plays a nine-minute unaccompanied solo on the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) that has its witty moments (including a quote from “Four Brothers”), a jam over a drum machine, and some very speedy playing.

Switching to tenor for the second half of the performance, Brecker is joined by guitarist Mike Stern, keyboardist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Jeff Andrews, and drummer Adam Nussbaum.

Calderazzo has a thoughtful solo, Brecker is blazing, and Stern covers several moods during his ultimately exciting spot.

-Scott Yanow

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