I saw MB many times, sometimes up close in small clubs. He was all-in, all of the time. I saw his solo on Three Quartets, in the first quartet, with Chick Correa, and it was so hot and intense I thought the crowd was going to riot.
I knew that about Mike. It's amazing. Today we'd all like to play like him (me), but there are so many other things going in on in our lives. I sometimes wish I had chosen to make music my one and only love. But then, I wouldn't have my two kids. Trade offs, I guess? I could arrange to have the time now, but I'm old and lack the drive. I still try to play at least every other day. I'll never play like Mike or many other younger players on the scene right now.
Well he did manage to have two kids himself, but he made some serious bank in the recording studios etc through his younger years I think. One of his sons is now a police officer in the town where they lived north of the city.
Sometimes I wonder if the craft is the gift or the practitioners willingness and desire to work so long and tirelessly at it. It really is not an easy thing to do. It’s not only the time but having the wherewithal to patiently cover so many areas because it really is just inexhaustible.
Yes, swing is often surprisingly overlooked or considered of secondary importance, when in fact it makes everything hang together. You can't do better than listen to Louis Armstrong to understand how swing works.
It seems like when someone knows they have a gift, or at least potential to be one of the Greats or even the greatest, it becomes an unbearable duty from within like, you just have to and then it just infiltrates you like a religion. It takes a lot of discipline, obviously, but I guess he had to know on some level he was no slouch and he was likely going to be somebody. I wonder if he ever even thought about how good he was or if he thought he sucked and was good at hiding it. Or if he legit just got bit by the bug hard.
Brecker went to Phil Woods' jazz camp Phil and Chan ran in the late 60s at Ramblerny, PA where I heard Phil put 'the fear' into young players. They all learned through Phil there is no substitute for practice, and Phil of course learned that from Bird himself. My favorite story from this was during their recreation time at this jazz camp, Phil would have impromptu football games where Phil was always the quarterback. Somehow in the mess of a play, Brecker broke his thumb on Phil or vice versa, yet Brecker still had to play that night for the concert albeit with a well bandaged and partially immobilized hand of course.
Such a downer when Mike ends this his Solo and the video is spliced immediately into the trades..... even one measure of separation would allow for that needed acknowledgement of the Majestic Solo.... thanks for your work allthesame ....
Reading the book now . Podcast is great. Been to 7th Ave Fat T etc during this time period. Dextor was my man but MB was impossible to ignore and really took the sound in another direction especially his band with Stern
Thanks for the Video! I've got a question: is there a particular reason the Softly as in a Morning Sunrise clip is pitched down half a step? It's almost in B minor as opposed to C minor Mike originally played in. Encoding issue maybe?
@@JazzVideoGuy oofffff that really hit my ears....it got slowed down somehow. Little hard to listen to that, maybe they is someway to edit the video? I know the original video, it's the right speed. Nice interview with Bill, and I remember Will talking about living with Brecker before. Michael was kind to all of us. What a beautiful cat.
@@JazzVideoGuy indeed; seen/heard him in so many contexts over the past 40+ years. It would be interesting to get down to the ‘ground’ on how each great musician found their path.
Very cool nice guy, Mr Will Lee - I’m mad and chatted with him out on the street during the first few years of Letterman show. He stopped and took the time to chat with Young me, honest and approachable - he cares about the next generation and spreading good vibes-& what a musician.
3:51-57 - I've always felt there was a strong guitar influence on the to Mike's solo on The Brecker Brothers' 'Some Skunk Funk'; 1978 live at My Father's Place which I have on their Novuus label compilation, but which I believe originally came out on their album 'Heavy Metal Bebop'. Thanks for sharing, this live version of 'Softly...'was incredible, I reckon it's the 2003 Jazz Baltica, was that a full gig w/ that personnel? Do you have the full convert? Many thanks for this upload anyway.
David Liebman contradicts what milkowski says. dave says he never was an intense practicer Except for six months when he went to lookout farm. Jamming is not practicing!
I knew Mike and remember he practiced all the time. The story was, the only time whe wasn't practicing was when he was on his way to a gig. He was so devoted to his horn that when he bought a new car, he had to call a friend to instruct him on how to open the gas tank.
And unfortunately, maintaining a high level of technique requires constant practice. Like muscles, technique atrophies with lack of practice. And the further along you get in your musical career, the less you want to practice, especially long periods of practice. Herbie Hancock doesn’t exhibit the brilliant technique he had in the early days, and I’d bet my last dollar his practice schedule is no way near where it was early in his career. In the early days of learning your craft, practice is welcomed, even long periods of it, because it’s producing results - a gradual increase in technique. And then you reach that magical moment when you can play “changes”(Oleo) at up-tempo and actually sound professional! If only there were a magic pill you could take that would maintain current level of technique without ever practicing again! Nirvana …
There you have it. You want to get good, better, the best? Play a lot, more, most. And forget all these 'wonder methods' here on youtube. These are just click bait for lazy people.
You have to fall in love with your sound, regardless of whether it's "legit" or not. Then even if it isn't there yet you can work on it forever. That's what attracts(or repels), others to/from your expression.
say OBSESSIVE !! of course we were ALL OBSESSIVE !! thats how we got to play at a high level !! SHOW ME A JAZZ MUSICIAN OR ANY ARTIST THAT CAN REALLY PLAY THATS NOT OBSESSIVE ?? ITS FINE !! i take it as a compliment ,,HIS FATHER WAS A DOCTOR not a lawyer
That Softly solo is the baddest ever
true dat
I saw MB many times, sometimes up close in small clubs. He was all-in, all of the time. I saw his solo on Three Quartets, in the first quartet, with Chick Correa, and it was so hot and intense I thought the crowd was going to riot.
He played every set as if it was his last.
Awsome talent this Michael Brecker, from the heart, RIP.
You don't get that good sitting on the couch watching TV. His work ethic came through in everything he played.
Amen.
ETERNAL MEMORY TO uncle MICHAEL!!! My GREATEST TEACHER...
Its not a work ethic, its more like an addiction. I never liked working, but I practice, teach and play about 60 hours a week.
To know Mike was to really appreciate greatness! I am glad that he is still on our minds!!
Agree
Allow me to give Breck my symbolic thumbs up before 'Relentless' even premieres, for I KNOW this is going to be awesome! Love ya, Mike. RIP...
Precise, polished, yet Mike swung like crazy!! That’s the difference between him and his legions of clones … some of them miss the swing part ….
I knew that about Mike. It's amazing. Today we'd all like to play like him (me), but there are so many other things going in on in our lives. I sometimes wish I had chosen to make music my one and only love. But then, I wouldn't have my two kids. Trade offs, I guess? I could arrange to have the time now, but I'm old and lack the drive. I still try to play at least every other day. I'll never play like Mike or many other younger players on the scene right now.
Well he did manage to have two kids himself, but he made some serious bank in the recording studios etc through his younger years I think.
One of his sons is now a police officer in the town where they lived north of the city.
Never too late! Keep at it.
Sometimes I wonder if the craft is the gift or the practitioners willingness and desire to work so long and tirelessly at it. It really is not an easy thing to do. It’s not only the time but having the wherewithal to patiently cover so many areas because it really is just inexhaustible.
Well said.
Yes, swing is often surprisingly overlooked or considered of secondary importance, when in fact it makes everything hang together. You can't do better than listen to Louis Armstrong to understand how swing works.
It seems like when someone knows they have a gift, or at least potential to be one of the Greats or even the greatest, it becomes an unbearable duty from within like, you just have to and then it just infiltrates you like a religion. It takes a lot of discipline, obviously, but I guess he had to know on some level he was no slouch and he was likely going to be somebody. I wonder if he ever even thought about how good he was or if he thought he sucked and was good at hiding it. Or if he legit just got bit by the bug hard.
Bill Milkowski or someone, how about a bio book on Bob Berg!?
That's a great idea.
Thank you Bret 🙏
My pleasure!
thx for the video!
Brecker went to Phil Woods' jazz camp Phil and Chan ran in the late 60s at Ramblerny, PA where I heard Phil put 'the fear' into young players. They all learned through Phil there is no substitute for practice, and Phil of course learned that from Bird himself. My favorite story from this was during their recreation time at this jazz camp, Phil would have impromptu football games where Phil was always the quarterback. Somehow in the mess of a play, Brecker broke his thumb on Phil or vice versa, yet Brecker still had to play that night for the concert albeit with a well bandaged and partially immobilized hand of course.
I love this so much, thank you!
Glad you like it!
Thank you, Bret!!! (shawn j)
glad you dig!
RIP GOAT
Amazing
thanks for writing the bio
< ! Precios Jewel, Thank You Bret ¡ >
glad you dig
Such a downer when Mike ends this his Solo and the video is spliced immediately into the trades..... even one measure of separation would allow for that needed acknowledgement of the Majestic Solo.... thanks for your work allthesame ....
Thanks, Bret !
You're welcome!
Your link to the Brecker book goes to the Rollins book also; two links to the same book. Thanks.
Thanks for that! Will fix. It ain't easy being a one man band.
@@JazzVideoGuy You're doing great! Cheers.
Reading the book now . Podcast is great. Been to 7th Ave Fat T etc during this time period. Dextor was my man but MB was impossible to ignore and really took the sound in another direction especially his band with Stern
Thank you!
Which book?
Ode to a Tenor Titan
Thanx, Gentlemen 🌹🌹🌹
Great video. Thank you.
Glad you liked it!
What a geezer. Serious. I do believe he's messing with us though around 7.53.
Geezer?
@@JazzVideoGuy I’m from Essex 😉 (It’s a compliment!)
Michael Breaker ...🎼wow what a talent... right there with the giants Trane, Rollins and Joe Henderson 💕🎶🇺🇸😁
Alvin Queen`s helluva drummer !!!!!!!
absolultely
Is that Ulf Wakenius on guitar?
Should have waited for the credits before I commented....
Ulf!
@@JazzVideoGuy thanks for great content
Thanks for the Video! I've got a question: is there a particular reason the Softly as in a Morning Sunrise clip is pitched down half a step? It's almost in B minor as opposed to C minor Mike originally played in. Encoding issue maybe?
I just took the video and encoded it, I did not alter the pitch in any way.
@@JazzVideoGuy oofffff that really hit my ears....it got slowed down somehow. Little hard to listen to that, maybe they is someway to edit the video? I know the original video, it's the right speed. Nice interview with Bill, and I remember Will talking about living with Brecker before. Michael was kind to all of us. What a beautiful cat.
Will Lee, the legend…
Will is in an interesting fellow.
@@JazzVideoGuy indeed; seen/heard him in so many contexts over the past 40+ years. It would be interesting to get down to the ‘ground’ on how each great musician found their path.
@@Osnosis Stay tuned.
Very cool nice guy, Mr Will Lee - I’m mad and chatted with him out on the street during the first few years of Letterman show. He stopped and took the time to chat with Young me, honest and approachable - he cares about the next generation and spreading good vibes-& what a musician.
3:51-57 - I've always felt there was a strong guitar influence on the to Mike's solo on The Brecker Brothers' 'Some Skunk Funk'; 1978 live at My Father's Place which I have on their Novuus label compilation, but which I believe originally came out on their album 'Heavy Metal Bebop'. Thanks for sharing, this live version of 'Softly...'was incredible, I reckon it's the 2003 Jazz Baltica, was that a full gig w/ that personnel? Do you have the full convert? Many thanks for this upload anyway.
I used to like that song.....
the softly as in a morning sunrise at the end of the video is half step down its annoying but still great!
David Liebman contradicts what milkowski says. dave says he never was an intense practicer Except for six months when he went to lookout farm. Jamming is not practicing!
I knew Mike and remember he practiced all the time. The story was, the only time whe wasn't practicing was when he was on his way to a gig. He was so devoted to his horn that when he bought a new car, he had to call a friend to instruct him on how to open the gas tank.
And unfortunately, maintaining a high level of technique requires constant practice. Like muscles, technique atrophies with lack of practice. And the further along you get in your musical career, the less you want to practice, especially long periods of practice. Herbie Hancock doesn’t exhibit the brilliant technique he had in the early days, and I’d bet my last dollar his practice schedule is no way near where it was early in his career. In the early days of learning your craft, practice is welcomed, even long periods of it, because it’s producing results - a gradual increase in technique. And then you reach that magical moment when you can play “changes”(Oleo) at up-tempo and actually sound professional! If only there were a magic pill you could take that would maintain current level of technique without ever practicing again! Nirvana …
ummm ...Herbie is 81 years old. Body changes. Everybody gets old if they are lucky. I'm so happy he's still with us.
There you have it. You want to get good, better, the best? Play a lot, more, most. And forget all these 'wonder methods' here on youtube. These are just click bait for lazy people.
It's not work ethic. They sound so good they like hearing themselves. I'd play all day too if I sounded like them.
It is work
You have to fall in love with your sound, regardless of whether it's "legit" or not. Then even if it isn't there yet you can work on it forever. That's what attracts(or repels), others to/from your expression.
It’s work ethic….
say OBSESSIVE !! of course we were ALL OBSESSIVE !! thats how we got to play at a high level !! SHOW ME A JAZZ MUSICIAN OR ANY ARTIST THAT CAN REALLY PLAY THATS NOT OBSESSIVE ??
ITS FINE !! i take it as a compliment ,,HIS FATHER WAS A DOCTOR not a lawyer