Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, trumpeter Randy Brecker and
his younger, sax-playing brother Michael helped define a sub-genre by blending
sophisticated jazz harmonies and searing solos with slamming funk grooves and a
visceral energy that grabbed rock ears. The Philly-born Brecker Brothers set
the tone for a generation of aspiring musicians who followed.
"When the band started back in the day, the original
intent was to do a Randy Brecker record," Randy explains. "We were
rehearsing tunes every week with Michael, Don Grolnick, David Sanborn, Steve
Khan, Chris Parker and Will Lee. Somehow, producer Steve Backer had gotten wind
of the rehearsals. He knew of us - Michael and I had played together in Dreams,
Billy Cobhamʼs band and Horace Silverʼs quintet. He rang me and said, ʻIf you
call this band The Brecker Brothers, Iʼll sign you tomorrow to Clive Davisʼ new
label, Arista Records.ʼ" Randy recalls his first inclination was to say
no, because "I wanted to do my own record," but he ultimately
relented. "And thatʼs how this whole thing started."
Sadly, in 2005 Michael Brecker was diagnosed with the blood
disorder myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and died from complications of
leukemia on January 13, 2007.
During the process of assembling a band for a week-long
engagement at New York Cityʼs Blue Note jazz club last year for a solo record,
Randy realized that all the musicians he has contacted have played in various
editions of The Brecker Brothers Band: bassist Will Lee (who served the
earliest incarnation of the group in the mid-ʻ70s), along with guitarist Mike
Stern, keyboardist George Whitty and drummer Dave Weckl (veterans of the early
ʻ90s edition). Filling in for his late brother is saxophonist Ada Rovatti, an
accomplished improviser and bandleader, also known as Randyʼs wife and the
mother of their four-year- old daughter, Stella. "Here it is 30-some years
later, Iʼm getting set to do another solo record, and the Brecker Brothers
thing creeps in again," Randy says. "In fact," he continues,
"the club billed it as 'Brecker Brothers Band Reunion'. At first I wasnʼt
crazy about the idea. But the week was sold out, it became an event, and fans
loved hearing the old tunes along with the new ones. I realized this band was
my legacy."
This set of original compositions, among them tunes like
"Some Skunk Funk" and "Straphangin", brings back the
excitement of the 70s with the technological advances of the 21st century. Add
to the mix, the appearance of Randroid, a vocalist fans of Randy Brecker will
recognize.
Randy Brecker and former members of the studio and touring
bands have reconvened to make new, exciting music. The story continues.
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