Michael Brecker
Michael "Mike" Brecker (1949-14 January 2007) was an American saxophonist and composer.
He played with Zappa (along with his brother Randy Brecker on trumpet) from December 26 to 29 in 1976, at the Palladium, in New York, which formed the basis for Zappa In New York. When asked about the album, Mike replied, "...actually I never heard it...really... I should sit down and listen to it one day!" Michael Brecker provided saxophone for Zappa In New York, You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 6 and Läther.
An "equal opportunity" session man, Mike's list of recorded work is ridiculously long. To name but a few musicians he has worked with: McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Chet Baker, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Charles Mingus, Joni Mitchell, Jaco Pastorius, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Parliament and Funkadelic, Dire Straits, Steely Dan, Pat Metheny, and even John Lennon.
In recent years, the saxophonist had struggled with myelodysplastic syndrome, a cancer in which the bone marrow stops producing enough healthy blood cells. The disease, known as MDS, often progresses to leukemia. He eventually succumbed to the illness on January 14, 2007, at the age of 57.
