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Randy Brecker
Jazz trumpeter and composer Randy Brecker has helped shape the sound of jazz, R&B and rock for more than four decades. His trumpet and flugelhorn performances have graced hundreds of albums by a wide range of artists from James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and Parliament/Funkadelic to Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Jaco Pastorius and Frank Zappa.
Born in 1945 in Philadelphia to a musical family, Randy’s musical talent was nurtured from an early age. He attended Indiana University from 1963-66 studying with Bill Adam, David Baker and Jerry Coker and later moved to New York where he landed gigs with such prominent bands as Clark Terry’s Big Bad Band, the Duke Pearson Big Band and the Thad Jones Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra.
In 1967, Randy ventured into jazz-rock with the band Blood, Sweat and Tears, but left to join the Horace Silver Quintet. He recorded his first solo album, ‘Score’, in 1968, featuring a young, then unknown 19 year-old tenor saxophonist named Michael Brecker.
After Horace Silver, Randy joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers before teaming up with brother Michael, Barry Rogers, Billy Cobham, and John Abercrombie to form the seminal fusion group ‘Dreams’. The group recorded two adventurous and wildly acclaimed albums: ‘Dreams’ and ‘Imagine My Surprise’ – now collector’s items – for Columbia Records before they disbanded in 1971.
In the early 1970s, Randy performed live with many prominent artists including Larry Coryell’s Eleventh House, Stevie Wonder and Billy Cobham. He also recorded several classic albums with his brother under the leadership of the great pianist/composer Hal Galper.
By 1975, Randy and Michael were ready to front their own group, the Brecker Brothers Band. A band of immeasurable impact and influence, they released six albums on Arista and garnered seven Grammy nominations between 1975 and 1981. Their eponymous first record, which Randy wrote, arranged and produced, featured his now classic composition “Some Skunk Funk.”
In 1992, exactly ten years after they parted ways to pursue solo careers, Randy and Michael reunited for a world tour and the triple-Grammy nominated GRP recording, ‘The Return of the Brecker Brothers’. The follow-up, 1994’s ‘Out of the Loop,’ was a double-Grammy winner.
In 1997, ‘Into the Sun’ (Concord), a recording featuring Randy’s impressions of Brazil, garnered Randy his first Grammy as a solo artist.
In 2001, Randy released ‘Hangin’ in the City’ (ESC), a solo project which introduced his alter-ego Randroid, a skirt chasing, cab driving ne’er do well, with lyrics and vocals by Randroid himself. This CD was especially well received in Europe, where Randy toured extensively with his own line-up.
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Tom Kennedy: New Start
![Read "New Start" reviewed by Jim Worsley](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/9b23917c68ae449efeb5eb228d18af74.jpg)
by Jim Worsley
When thinking of bassist Tom Kennedy, it can be instinctive to think of drummer Dave Weckl. Or vice versa. The two became friends and musical colleagues in their early teens. That is roughly a half century of playing, recording, touring, and much more together. Kennedy is known around the world as a premier, elite jazz and fusion electric bassist. Weckl has the same notoriety and brilliant skill set behind his drum kit. One could go on at length about their ...
read moreJill McCarron Trio: Gin
![Read "Gin" reviewed by Jack Bowers](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/19d0c9df7012ac753a17cc9f3516ab3f.jpg)
by Jack Bowers
Gin, pianist Jill McCarron says of the title of her second recording as leader of the Jill McCarron Trio, refers to the card game of that name, and not to the alcoholic beverage. She balances the joy of winning with the luck of the draw in her entrancing three-part suite. While McCarron leads an admirable threesome (Paul Gill, bass; Andy Watson, drums), this is a trio album with an asterisk, as saxophonist Vincent Herring sits in on four numbers (including ...
read moreIvan Lins: My Heart Speaks
![Read "My Heart Speaks" reviewed by Edward Blanco](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/19ae3a044ab58ee61725473d529863a4.jpg)
by Edward Blanco
Brazilian singer and composer Ivan Lins has recorded about fifty albums since 1970 but has not recorded one in over ten years. Now, this multiple Latin Grammy-Award winner remerges with the superb and inviting My Heart Speaks, perhaps the most impressive and lush recording of his long, distinguished career. An important feature here is the extraordinary collaboration with the 91-piece Tblisi Symphony Orchestra, the most popular orchestra from the Republic of Georgia in Eastern Europe, under the direction of Maestro ...
read moreIvan Lins: My Heart Speaks
![Read "My Heart Speaks" reviewed by Pierre Giroux](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/6f01a69ddd69d6033572dc735d205a2a.jpg)
by Pierre Giroux
Ivan Lins is a Brazilian music legend and multiple Latin Grammy Award winner who has consistently delivered a unique blend of bossa nova, jazz and pop throughout his career. In this first release in over ten years, entitled My Heart Speaks, Lins performs rare gems from his catalogue backed by the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra along with guest appearances from vocalists Dianne Reeves, Jane Monheit and newcomer Tawanda, as well as trumpeter Randy Brecker. The eleven songs ...
read moreLuiz Millan: Brazilian Match
![Read "Brazilian Match" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/6ea94573186e03f0525ef466b78c5ea1.jpg)
by Chris M. Slawecki
Brazilian Match is a tour-de-force of classic and contemporary Brazilian music written by and featuring singer-songwriter Luiz Millan. Millan's fifth album is a leader is his first for Jazz Station Records and Brazilian jazz impresario Arnaldo DeSouteiro, whose storied history includes working with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Eumir Deodato, Dom Um Romão, João Donato, and other legends, and who called Millan a composer's composer." A great melodist who also happens to be a great poet, a fabulous storyteller; a ...
read moreIvan Lins: My Heart Speaks
![Read "My Heart Speaks" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/19ae3a044ab58ee61725473d529863a4.jpg)
by Katchie Cartwright
My Heart Speaks opens with Renata Maria," the song of a ravishing woman who emerges from the sea then disappears, leaving her would-be lover to yearn eternally. Ivan Lins composed the piece in 2004 with Chico Buarque in mind (punningly calling it a Buarquiana brasileira"). Buarque invented the narrative later, presenting his lyric to Lins as a gift, upon the birth of his first grandchild. Kuno Schmid's score sets the scene. Warm orchestral waves wash over Lins' impassioned ...
read moreAlexander Claffy: Music From Big Orange
![Read "Music From Big Orange" reviewed by Pierre Giroux](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/3e598d241d4f91ec080b618706a578da.jpg)
by Pierre Giroux
Alexander Claffy has released an impressive album entitled Music From Big Orange" which showcases his skills as a bassist and composer, and captures the essence of contemporary jazz while paying homage to the rich traditions of the genre. Switching seamlessly from acoustic bass to electric, depending on the sonic flow of any given tune, it is clear that Claffy's bass playing is the foundation upon which the entire album is built. On this orange-coloured vinyl LP, ...
read moreDrummer Bob Holz Releases New Album 'Holz-Stathis: Collaborative' Featuring John McLaughlin, Jean-Luc Ponty, Darryl Jones And Randy Brecker
![Drummer Bob Holz Releases New Album 'Holz-Stathis: Collaborative' Featuring John McLaughlin, Jean-Luc Ponty, Darryl Jones And Randy Brecker](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/aa4110fc978d2a624acc407ffebf5230.jpg)
Source:
Glass Onyon PR - William James
Jazz fusion drummer and composer Bob Holz released his sixth album Holz-Stathis: Collaborative. on MVD Audio. Joining Holz on the album are John McLaughlin, Jean-Luc Ponty, Darryl Jones, Randy Brecker, Elliott Yamin, Alex Acuna, Airto Moreira, Brandon Fields, Ralphe Armstrong, Billy Steinway, Dean Brown, Ric Fierabracci, Jamie Glaser, Ada Rovatti, {{Karen Briggs, Diana Purim, Ben Shepherd and Frank Stepanek. The album features twelve new original tunes penned by Holz, Steinway and Brown. Rob Stathis is the Executive Producer. The album ...
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Bill O'Connell New Release 'Live In Montauk' (Savant Records) Featuring Randy Brecker, Billy Hart, Craig Handy And Santi Debriano! Release Date: June 23rd
![Bill O'Connell New Release 'Live In Montauk' (Savant Records) Featuring Randy Brecker, Billy Hart, Craig Handy And Santi Debriano! Release Date: June 23rd](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/1a0d39518c0a4a7a2294e10379ce8ee9.jpg)
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
Montauk—the easternmost point of Long Island—has enjoyed a reputation as an idyllic land of the lotus and poppy but now is fully woven in to the Hamptons summer scene. The charms and views associated with that coastal existence served as a backdrop for the creation of this recording. Notable for a number of reasons—as the first live band date in a lengthy discography, and a first on-record meeting with drumming icon Billy Hart—this Bill O’Connell session stands out. Recorded live ...
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Italian Guitarist Luca di Luzio Releases 'Never Give Up' with Randy Brecker, George Whitty, Rodney Holmes and more!
![Italian Guitarist Luca di Luzio Releases 'Never Give Up' with Randy Brecker, George Whitty, Rodney Holmes and more!](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/4ad5f9cc15aedf10b8996f0b929181f3.jpg)
Source:
Jazzfuel
Funk, jazz and blues get a Mediterranean twist on Never Give Up, the latest album from Italian guitarist Luca di Luzio is available now. A jazz guitar graduate of the Conservatorio di Musica Frescobaldi, di Luzio showcases his pulling power with an all-star group which features trumpet legend Randy Brecker alongside keyboard player George Whitty, bassist Alain Caron, drummer Rodney Holmes and percussionist Steve Thornton. Studying first under the likes of greats including Pat Metheny, Jim Hall, and Mike Stern, ...
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Pianist Louis Siciliano Releases 'Ancient Cosmic Truth' with Alex Acuña, Randy Brecker, Claudio Romano and Umberto Muselli
![Pianist Louis Siciliano Releases 'Ancient Cosmic Truth' with Alex Acuña, Randy Brecker, Claudio Romano and Umberto Muselli](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/e928de8a1f2747cd1f368560234aaacc.jpg)
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
There are times in your life when you discover an artist that opens your mind to the infinite possibilities of the universe. For decades Louis Siciliano has been exploring the world of Electro Global Jazz by synthesizing a thousand years of Western musical tradition with ancient Indian, Persian and African musical cultures. So highly regarded as an innovator in the music industry, he now sits on the Grammy Awards panel delivering judgement on his peers. Now his self-titled quintet, consisting ...
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Contempo-Jazz Guitarist B.D. Lenz 'It's Just A Dream' Releases On November 1st With Mike Stern & Randy Brecker!
![Contempo-Jazz Guitarist B.D. Lenz 'It's Just A Dream' Releases On November 1st With Mike Stern & Randy Brecker!](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/059bd954bbd145e7ece1034203f236da.jpg)
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
Contempo jazz guitarist B.D. Lenz returns with It's Just A Dream, his 13th recording as a leader and features one of his long-time heroes, Mike Stern, on guitar along with the legendary Randy Brecker on trumpet. It’s Just a Dream began as a small writing project during COVID and blossomed into a full release with ten original compositions of Lenz’s signature blend of jazz, funk, and rock. The New Jersey native says, “I never intended to write a whole record ...
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11th Annual Arlington Jazz Festival with Headliners Randy Brecker And Mark Walker's World Jazz Ensemble from April 7-10, 2022
![11th Annual Arlington Jazz Festival with Headliners Randy Brecker And Mark Walker's World Jazz Ensemble from April 7-10, 2022](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/5db52d5ff06e557106694383418a7b03.jpg)
Source:
Mary Curtin Productions
The Arlington Jazz Festival (Boston) has scheduled a wide variety of musical events over a 4-day stretch in several venues around the town. The Festival, now in its 11th year, is presented by Arlington Jazz. This year’s headlining concert, held at the Regent Theatre on the final day of the festival, showcases legendary multi-Grammy award winning jazz trumpeter/composer Randy Brecker performing with Grammy winning drummer/composer Mark Walker and his World Jazz Ensemble, which features French pianist Alain Mallet, Peruvian bassist ...
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Drummer Bob Holz To Release New Album Featuring Rolling Stones Bassist Darryl Jones And Trumpet Legend Randy Brecker
![Drummer Bob Holz To Release New Album Featuring Rolling Stones Bassist Darryl Jones And Trumpet Legend Randy Brecker](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/289e04a3a6381237330a49aa508e0777.jpg)
Source:
Bob Holz
Jazz Fusion legend Bob Holz will release his fifth album for MVD Audio in late 2020. The record is titled Holz-Stathis Collaborative. Joining Bob Holz is Rolling Stones bassist Darryl Jones. Both Bob Holz and Darryl Jones have played with the late jazz fusion guitarist Larry Coryell. Bob Holz wrapped up a busy 2019 which included featured concerts at The Whiskey A Go Go and Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, CA. Bassist Darryl Jones joined Bob Holz in the recording ...
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Husband & Wife Team of Randy Brecker and Ada Rovatti Join Forces on New CD Brecker Plays Rovatti: Sacred Bond
![Husband & Wife Team of Randy Brecker and Ada Rovatti Join Forces on New CD Brecker Plays Rovatti: Sacred Bond](https://www.allaboutjazz.com/coverart/large/COVERDistributionRGB.jpg)
Source:
hubtone PR
Here’s a saying that ‘the family that plays together, stays together.’ That old adage is put into effect on Brecker Plays Rovatti: Sacred Bond, which not only features the husband and wife team of Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and fusion pioneer Randy Brecker and saxophonist-composer Ada Rovatti but also includes their 10-year-old daughter Stella in a vocal cameo appearance on one track. Backed by a versatile core group of pianist David Kikoski, bassist Alex Claffy and drummer Rodney Holmes, with guest ...
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Then There’s This: Brecker With Holmquist And The UMO
![Then There’s This: Brecker With Holmquist And The UMO](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/5c3ec3d8340094aa86342969ac55b17e.jpg)
Source:
Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
We have been meaning to call to your attention to an instance in which–unlike, say, the trade talks between the US and China–international cooperation works beautifully. The trumpeter featured on this album is Randy Brecker, one of the leading American players of the Instrument for more than fifty years. He performs with Finland’s UMO Jazz Orchestra, led by the distinguished arranger and composer Mats Holmquist, who is Swedish. The CD presents three well-known pieces composed by the American pianist Chick ...
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Nancy Kelly Releases April 26th Remembering Mark Murphy Featuring Randy Brecker And More!
![Nancy Kelly Releases April 26th Remembering Mark Murphy Featuring Randy Brecker And More!](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/b7c9d4521289a50e94ac87e0da9796f3.jpg)
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
"People often ask me who my favorite singer is, and my answer is always, without hesitation, Mark Murphy. With Mark's passing, I was moved to honor him musically with this recording. It was early in my singing career that a friend turned me on to Mark. Most of the songs chosen for this recording were ones that influenced or moved me to become a jazz singer. Some are are now iconic Mark Murphy, to be forever associated with him. When ...
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Todd Mosby
guitarAlan Gaumer
trumpetBrownman
trumpetElliot Bild
trumpetMichael Neff
trumpetSilvio Amato
pianoRafael Greco
pianoKriz Flew aka Christoph Flueler
trumpetPhotos
Music
Andar Descalço (Barefoot) feat. Randy Brecker
From: Brazilian MatchBy Randy Brecker
Do Nothing till You Hear From Me
From: Live In MontaukBy Randy Brecker
In the Grove of the Jacarandas
From: Brazilian MatchBy Randy Brecker
Come Back to Me
From: Once in a LifetimeBy Randy Brecker
Our Darker Angels (feat. Mike Stern)
From: It's Just a DreamBy Randy Brecker
Ondé
From: Dice Que Vive (Signs Of Life)By Randy Brecker
This Is the Thing
From: Live at the Berlin...By Randy Brecker
Blue Roses
From: Variations Of RelevanceBy Randy Brecker
Any Way
From: The Runner UpBy Randy Brecker
A Night In Calisia
From: Randy Brecker plays Wlodek...By Randy Brecker
Salt Water
From: The Runner UpBy Randy Brecker
Sambop
From: Randy in BrasilBy Randy Brecker