Jazz trumpeter and composer Randy Brecker has helped shape the sound of jazz, R&B and rock for more than four decades. The 4-time Grammy Winner has graced hundreds of albums by a wide range of artists from James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and Parlia-ment/Funkadelic to Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Jaco Pastorius and Frank Zappa.
His first solo album, Score, was recorded in 1968 and featured his brother, a then un-known 19 year old tenor saxophonist named Michael. The early 70’s saw many perfor-mances with prominent artists and in 1975 Randy and Michael decided to front their own band, the Brecker Brothers Band. The band released six albums and garnered seven Grammy nominations before they decided to pursue separate careers in 1982. Ten years later, Michael and Randy reunited for a world tour and released The Return of the Brecker Brothers. The follow up, 1994’s Out of the Loop was a double Grammy winner. Tragically, Michael was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia known as MDS and passed away in January of 2007.
Randy has toured extensively worldwide, and through his travels developed a love of Brazilian music. In 2008 he recorded Randy in Brazil with a full complement of great Brazilian musicians. The album was chosen one of the top 10 by Allaboutjazz.com and won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. He has explored and celebrated his Polish roots and most recently worked on an album celebrating the Pop recordings he contributed on. As a com-poser, performer and in-demand Yamaha clinician, Randy continues to influence and inspire young musicians around the world.
