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Michael Brecker Quartet to Perform at Hope College

Posted November 12, 2001

HOLLAND -- Internationally renowned jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker will perform with his quartet as part of the Hope College Great Performance Series on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 8 p.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel.

Called "the best tenor saxophone player in the world today" by "Gramophone" magazine, Brecker has received countless awards for his work, including seven Grammys.

The Michael Brecker Quartet also features pianist Joey Calderazzo, drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts and bassist Mihn Doki.

Heavily influenced by the music of John Coltrane, Brecker has played the sax since he was a small child.

By the mid '70s, Brecker had recorded and performed with jazz legends such as Dave Brubeck, Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. While in New York, he launched the club Seventh Street Avenue South, which was the pilot light under such bands as Steps Ahead. Brecker also entered the pop world, collaborating with icons like Frank Sinatra, John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen.

Brecker released "Michael Brecker," his first of eight solo albums, in 1987. It was voted album of the year by both "Downbeat" and "Jazziz" magazines. His next release, "Don't Try This at Home," won Brecker his first Grammy.

After his 1990 release, "Now You See It, Now You Don't," Brecker spent a year and a half touring and recording with Paul Simon. He received two Grammys for his 1994 album "Out of the Loop." In 1997, Brecker was voted "Best Soloist of the Year" by "JazzLife" magazine and "Jazz Man of the Year" by "Swing Journal." He received two more Grammys that year, his third pair in three consecutive years.

Brecker's latest recording, "Nearness of You: The Ballad Book," includes the appearance of old friend James Taylor singing on two tracks. NPR Jazz says the recording "sounds more relaxed and--dare one say--more beautiful than Brecker's previous jazz excursions."

Tickets for the concert cost $14 for regular adult admission, $12 for senior citizens and $5 for children under 18, and will be available at the theatre lobby ticket office in the DeWitt Center on Wednesday, Nov. 21, and Monday- Tuesday, Nov. 26-27. The ticket office can called at (616) 395-7890, and will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The DeWitt Center is located on Columbia Avenue at 12th Street.

Dimnent Memorial Chapel is located on College Avenue at 12th Street.

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