Tag Archives: the Brecker Brothers

The Brecker Brothers: Out of the Loop

On September 30, 1994, “GRP” label released “Out of the Loop”, the seventh and final Brecker Brothers (The) album. It was recorded April – August 1992, and was produced by George Whitty, Maz Kessler and Robbie Kilgore. In 1995 the album won two “Grammy Awards” – “Best Contemporary Jazz Performance” and “Best Instrumental Composition”.

Personnel:

  • Michael Brecker – soprano and tenor saxophone, Akai EWI, arrangements
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet, flugelhorn, arrangements
  • George Whitty – keyboards, Hammond organ bass, acoustic piano, keyboard programming, arrangements
  • Chris Botti – keyboard programming, bass and drum programming, arrangements
  • Andy Snitzer – keyboard programming, bass and drum programming, arrangements
  • Maz Kessler – keyboards, rhythm programming, arrangements
  • Robbie Kilgore – guitars, keyboards, rhythm programming, arrangements
  • Eliane Elias – vocals, keyboards, vocals, arrangements
  • Dean Brown – guitars, electric guitar
  • Larry Saltzman – guitars
  • James Genus – bass, acoustic bass
  • Armand Sabal-Lecco – bass, acoustic piccolo bass
  • Steve Jordan – drums
  • Shawn Pelton – drums
  • Rodney Holmes – drums
  • Steve Thornton – percussion
  • Mark Ledford – additional backing vocals
  • James Farber – recording, mixing
  • George Whitty – additional recording
  • Chris Botti – additional recording
  • Andy Snitzer – additional recording
  • Rich Lamb – additional recording
  • Maz Kessler – mixing, additional recording
  • Robbie Kilgore – mixing, additional recording
  • “Q” Engstrom – mixing
  • Scott Hull – mastering
  • Elaine Elias – editing
  • Ron Bach – editing engineer
  • Hiro Ishihara – engineer assistant
  • Chris Albert – mixing assistant
  • Scott Austin – mixing assistant
  • Rory Romano – mixing assistant
  • Robert Smith – mixing assistant
  • Joseph Doughney – post-production engineer
  • Michael Landy – post-production engineer
  • Cara Bridgins – production coordinator
  • Joseph Moore – assistant production coordinator
  • Sonny Mediana – production director, art direction
  • Andy Baltimore – creative director
  • Darryl Pitt – cover concept
  • Laurie Goldman – design
  • Matt Zumbo – front cover illustration
  • Kim Steele – back cover photography
  • Dave Grusin – executive producer
  • Larry Rosen – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Slang – Michael Brecker
  2. Evocations – Chris Botti, Michael Brecker
  3. Scrunch – Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Maz Kessler, Robbie Kilgore
  4. Secret Heart – Randy Brecker, Eliane Elias
  5. African Skies – Michael Brecker
  6. When It Was – Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Maz Kessler, Robbie Kilgore
  7. Harpoon – Randy Brecker
  8. The Nightwalker – Michael Brecker
  9. And Then She Wept – Randy Brecker

The Brecker Brothers: Heavy Metal Be-Bop

In September 1978, “Arista” label released “Heavy Metal Be-Bop”, the first Brecker Brothers (The) live album. It was recorded in 1978, at “My Father’s Place” in Roslyn, New York, and was produced by Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Neil Jason and Kash Monet.

Personnel:

  • Randy Brecker – trumpet, keyboards
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Barry Finnerty – guitars, guitorganiser, backing vocals
  • Neil Jason – lead vocals, bass
  • Terry Bozzio – drums, backing vocals
  • Paul Shaffer – Fender Rhodes
  • Victoria – tambourine
  • Allan Schwartzberg – drums
  • Sammy Figueroa – percussion
  • Rafael Cruz – percussion
  • Kash Monet – handclaps, percussion, backing vocals
  • Bob Clearmountain – handclaps
  • Jeff Schoen – backing vocals
  • Roy Herring – backing vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Randy Brecker, except where noted.

  1. East River – Neil Jason, Bret Mazur, Kash Monet (studio recording)
  2. Inside Out
  3. Some Skunk Funk
  4. Sponge
  5. Funky Sea, Funky Dew – Michael Brecker
  6. Squids

David Sanborn

On May 12, 2024, David William Sanborn died aged 78. He was musician (alto saxophone, piano), one of the most highly regarded session musicians. He recorded and performed with some of the best-known artist of the modern music including Albert King, Little Milton, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Al Jarreau, James Brown, Bryan Ferry, Michael Stanley, Eric Clapton, Bobby Charles, Cat Stevens, Roger Daltrey, Paul Simon, Jaco Pastorius, the Brecker Brothers, Michael Franks, Kenny Loggins, Casiopea, Players Association, David Bowie, Todd Rundgren, Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat, Tommy Bolin, Bob James, Pure Prairie League, Kenny G, Loudon Wainwright III, George Benson, Joe Beck, Donny Hathaway, Elton John, Gil Evans, Carly Simon, Guru, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Kenny Garrett, Roger Waters, Steely Dan, Ween, the Eagles, Grateful Dead, Nena, Hikaru Utada, The Rolling Stones, Ian Hunter, and Toto. As leader, Sanborn released 25 albums.