Back in 1976, a small unknown orchestral band had their carreer started as the musical ensemble for the late night show NBC's Saturday Night. The orchestra was headed by well known film score composer Howard Shore, but who we are honoring today was the saxaphone player Michael Brecker, who died of cancer on Januray 13, 2007. Michael Brecker was one of the most prolific jazz artists in the modern music scene with over 200 CD's to his catalog who was probably the most requested musician to accomapny other artists to join in their songs or groups. He has won 11 Grammy's in his career.

With the many CD's released, also a handful of DVD's released featuring his works and those whom he has worked with. Many of his CD's and DVDs has become very difficult to find and expensive to the collector, completist and fan of his works. Because we have in our forum collector's of rare CD's, I thought it might be worth listing some of the rarer items out there. You can visit his website for a full catalog of everything he has been part of.

From 1977 Hear & Now, with Don Cherry. An early 70's group Dreams, Dreams featuring Brecker, with his brother Randy, Billy Cobham and John Abercrombie. This was the album where Michael made his mark on the music scene.

A land mark fusion album from the Brecker Brothers, Heavy Metal Be-Bop also features Neal Jason on bass, Barry Finnerty on guitar, Terry Bozzio on drums.

From Kenny Garrett, Old Folks you will find Brecker on more than half of the tracks.

Released in the late 70's, Ralph MacDonald releases Counterpoint.

A popular funk group, The Brothers Johnson releases their popular album Blam!!.

Available only as a Japanese Import, Good King Bad from classic guitarist George Benson.

Another rare import, New York All Stars Live From Mel Lewis, Ron Carter, Hank Jones with Michael Brecker helping along on some tracks - Mel Lewis and Friends.

Cool Jamz is another rare import.

Nightwind. From 1985 comes Hearts and Numbers, a work with Don Grolnick and Michael Brecker. Twin Tenors.

Remote

Shoogie Wanna Boogie

Sixth Album: Smap 006 Sexy Six

Mark Murphy Sings

From well known Jazz musician Vince Mendoza, Epiphany and the self titled, Vince Mendoza.

One of the more expensive CD's in the Brecker catalog, from Jazz group Rare Silk, New Weave. Considered one of the best Jazz albums of the 80's.

Blue Montreux Live V.2

From All Sides.

To end the CD list, I leave you with John Dawson Winter III. While the CD seems pricey, you better believe that is the current rate on both Amazon and eBay. This CD release was very limited and considered a classic in the genre. Very hard to find and sought after.

While his CD's have become valuable, his DVD's have equal interest and there are many he appears in that have since been discontinued.

Released from TDK Muisc, a collection of jazz artists running at 150 minutes. Jazz-It! features Brecker and also Cobham, Hancock, Ron Carter, Stan Getz, Gil Evans, Chick Corea, and a host of other Jazz greats.

 

Brecker did not only stick with Jazz, but was also involved in the pop and rock scene, as with this rare DVD from Barry Gibb, Now Voyager.

One of the major parts of Brecker's career was belonging to the well known Jazz Band Steps Ahead, which comprised of Mike Mainieri, vibes; Michael Brecker, saxophone; Eddie Gomez, bass; Eliane Elias, piano and Peter Erskine on drums. This rare DVD offers a rare glimpse from 1983, Copenhagen Live. This same DVD has also been released by Idem, also OOP, under the title Steps Ahead in Europe. The recently out of print DVD from Image Entertainment, Steps Ahead has become one of the hotter OOP titles to look out for. Another well known and sought after DVD is from Carly Simon - Live from Martha's Vineyard: The Classic Concert which Brecker appears on.

Because of Brecker's prolific ability, many times he is part of a band and not always at the forefront or even seen for that matter. Some titles like Paul Simon - Concert in The Park (which runs at 140 minutes, while the DVD is stated to run at 87 minutes). Al Jerreau's Tenderness and Born at the Right Time.

Among the OOP world, there is a VHS that has become extremely rare to get a hold of as it has never been released onto DVD. Return of the Brecker Brothers remains as gold among Brecker fans. There is also JVC Jazz Festival Newport R.I. 1996 13th Anniversary, which in addition is the 1998 JVC Jazz Festival was released only as a promotional on DVD. Also very scarce and no listing for it. There are many other CD's, DVD's and Videos that are currently in print and worth checking out for their musical value.