The trumpet sound of Randy Brecker is more ubiquitous than one might think. Whether you know it or not, you've undoubtedly heard it before.
Within the jazz world, Brecker is perhaps best known as the former co-leader of the Brecker Brothers with his late brother, saxophonist Michael Brecker. The trumpeter and flugelhornist is a significant bandleader, having recorded over a dozen titles under his own name, including the 2012 four-time Grammy-nominated Half Note/Red Dot recording The Jazz Ballad Song Book with the WDR Big Band.
As impressive as his body of work in jazz might be, it's Brecker's trumpet sound on classic pop and R&B recordings that will make collective jaws drop, as if to say, "Randy Brecker's on THAT recording?"
Suddenly it all makes sense. You've already heard him countless times since the '70s - on Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run (1975), Frank Zappa's Zappa in NY (1978), Steely Dan's Gaucho (1980), James Taylor's One Man Dog (1972) and New Moon Shine (1991), Elton John's Lady Samantha (1980), Johnny Winter's John Dawson Winter III (1974), Lou Reed's Berlin (1973) and New Sensations (1989), James Brown's Get on the Good Foot (1972), Parliament's Mothership Connection (1975), Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms (1985), and on debut albums from the likes of Chaka Khan and Jaco Pastrious.
Brecker has also appeared on multiple recordings by Paul Simon, Todd Rundgren, Carly Simon, Aretha Franklin, David Sanborn, Bette Midler, The Average White Band, Ringo Starr, Diana Ross, Horace Silver, Esther Phillips, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bootsy Collins, and countless others. To call Randy Brecker a prolific artist simply doesn't do the man justice.
This week's run at the Blue Note highlights Brecker's "pop" side, which should not and will not be overlooked any longer. Brecker has recruited some of his favorite musicians to perform songs by Frank Zappa, Steely Dan, James Brown, Paul Simon and others: pianist Kenny Werner, bassist John Patitucci, saxophonist David Sanchez, guitarist Adam Rodgers, and drummer Nate Smith. Joining the band will be vocalist Amanda Brecker – who also happens to be the trumpeter's daughter – in her Blue Note debut. The music will be arranged and re-imagined by pianist Kenny Werner, a similarly versatile musician with strong pop sensibilities and a taste for adventure.
"Pop" features Randy Brecker leading an all-star band performing the songs of Frank Zappa, Steely Dan, Bette Midler, Paul Simon, The Average White Band, Blood Sweat & Tears, and others, arranged and re-imagined by Kenny Werner.
2012-05-06
Showtime: 8:00PM
@ Blue Note
131 W. 3rd St
New York, NY 10012
212-475-8592
-Michael Gelfand
Born in Colombia, Jay Rodriguez began his musical studies at the age of seven on clarinet and was playing lead alto with the late great Tito Puente by the age of 15. He graduated with the highest honors from New York City's renowned High School for the Performing Arts and continued his studies at the Manhattan School of Music and The New School.
When asked about his childhood, Rodriguez recollects: "My saxophone guru Mark Friedman tried to teach me how important it was to be a kid. Of course, I didn't listen, so I was playing gigs constantly. I'd be coming home at 6 o'clock in the morning, then going to school. That was my childhood and I don't regret it."
This focus and determination have propelled Rodriguez into a successful musical career. A two-time Grammy nominee, he has performed or recorded with a diverse list of talent, including Elvis Costello, Gil Evans, Craig Harris, Eddie Palmieri, Bobby Sanabria, Chucho Valdes, and more.
Rodriguez is also the musical director and founding member of the New York City phenomenon Groove Collective. In its over two-decade career, the band has opened for and jammed with James Brown, backed Tupac Shakur, and shared the stage with Isaac Hayes, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Bernie Worrell, and B.B. King, among others. Rodriguez also earned one of his Grammy nominations for the band's album People People Music Music (2006).
Whether rocking with Widespread Panic, grooving with Prince, jamming with his local NYC downtown peers Medeski, Martin & Wood, or performing with Groove Collective, Rodriguez remains as active as ever on the scene, performing over 200 gigs a year.
"Mr. Rodriguez is more than a musician. He is a visionary. Jay Rodriguez is the Latin American Answer to James Carter and a true light to hear and see."
Arnie Lawrence, Founder of The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music
"He could be breathy and insinuating on a ballad, brawny and extroverted in an uptempo..."
Jon Pareles, The New York Times
2012-05-07
Showtime: 8:00PM
Doors Open at 6:00PM
@ Blue Note
131 W. 3rd St
New York, NY 10012
212-475-8592
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