Ode to a Tenor Titan: The Life and Times and Music of Michael Brecker

by Bill Milkowski

After John Coltrane, there was no more revered and profoundly influential saxophonist on the planet than Michael Brecker. For those coming of age in the 1970s, during that transitional decade when the boundaries between rock and jazz had begun to blur, Brecker stood as a transcendent figure. He was their Trane. Ode to a Tenor Titan follows Michael's story from growing up in Philadelphia, finding his tenor sax voice during his brief stint at Indiana University, making his move to New York City in 1969 and taking the Big Apple by storm through the sheer power of his monstrous chops on the instrument. A commanding voice in jazz for four decades, Brecker possessed peerless technique (a byproduct of his remarkable work ethic and relentless woodshedding) and an uncanny ability to fit into every musical situation he encountered, whether it was as a ubiquitous studio musician (more than nine hundred sessions) for such pop stars as Paul Simon, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Todd Rundgren, Chaka Khan, and Steely Dan; playing with seminal fusion bands like Dreams, Billy Cobham, and the Brecker Brothers; or collaborating with the likes of Frank Zappa, Charles Mingus, Pat Metheny, and Herbie Hancock. But his biggest triumphs came as a bandleader during the last twenty years of his career, when he produced some of the most challenging, inspired, and visionary modern jazz recordings of his time. A preternaturally gifted player whose facility seemed almost superhuman, he was also modest to a fault and universally beloved by fellow musicians. After coming through a dark decade of heroin addiction, he turned his life around and became a beacon for countless others to lead clean and sober lives. At the peak of his powers, he was struck down by a rare preleukemic blood disease that sidelined him for two and a half years. He got off a sick bed to make a heroic comeback with his swan song, Pilgrimage, which Pat Metheny called "one of the great codas in modern music history" and which earned him a posthumous Grammy Award in 2007. Michael Brecker was a player of tremendous heart and conviction as well a person of rare humility and kindness, and his story is one for the ages.

Genres: Music, Biography

408 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2021

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant biography about a brilliant musician. This long overdue biography about the tenor titan is a must read for any fan of Brecker, saxophonist, or student of jazz. Michael Brecker was larger than life and his skills as a musician are unparalleled. Milkowski definitely did his research. A beautiful tribute to the legendary saxophonist and my personal musical hero. The man is sorely missed. Thank you Mr. Milkowski for sharing this wonderful work.

[Syd Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an exhaustive biography of my favorite jazz musician, Michael Brecker, written by an expert jazz journalist.

There is an incredible amount of detail in this book, with interviews of dozens of musicians and others, documenting the various phases of Brecker's life. It does not flinch on the tough times of his life, and celebrates his triumphs.

For me, the gold in this book is the discography. Brecker is on thousands of recordings, but Milkowski selects the recordings that are the most important, or the most impactful, or the most historical, or the ones where Brecker simply shone.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but if you are not a fan of jazz, and to some extent, New York, you might find the detail overwhelming.

[C. Grant Maledy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so easy for a detailed bio of a legend to be a fawning, sycophantic screed. This is anything but. Gloriously detailed and imbued with forward motion, it moves at a pace that reflects the hectic life of perhaps the greatest tenor player of his generation. So much here, for the dedicated disciple or the curious layperson.

[Paul Jovero · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiography is an extensive homage to Brecker's life. At times exhaustive and overwhelming, it nonetheless provides great insights into his music and personality. Of particular value are the added testimonials and discography at the end of the book. They demonstrate how Michael and his expansive music affected all those who come in contact with him - even after his passing. Although Bob Mintzer was referring to jazz in general when he said "That's the beauty of this art form. It keeps going, if you so choose", the same can be said of Michael's legacy. [overall narrative: ⭐️, page turner: ✨, daily application: ⭐️, symbolisms/creativity: ✨, intangibles: ⭐️]

[Steven L'Heureux · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you agree that Michael Brecker is one of the greatest tenor saxophonists in the history of music, read this book. "Ode to a Tenor Titan: The Life and Times and Music of Michael Brecker" lovingly and unflinchingly, chronicles the life and music of a man who was so much more than his music. Michael Brecker not only revolutionized the tenor saxophone and EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument), but he also helped countless souls come to terms with, and conquer, their substance abuse. Fueled by dozens of firsthand accounts from peers, family and friends, the author reveals a rare talent and a rare human being.

[Steve Lawless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Brecker defined contemporary jazz sax for four decades. Not only was he one of the mist virtuosic tenor players ever he was a humble and sincere human being that was greatly loved and admired by most people that he met. Bill Milkowski's biography is detailed and gives a real feel of man behind the brilliant music.

[Steve Cushman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the finest music biographies that I have ever read, and I have read many! It is incredibly rare to find a musicians story where that musician is such a selfless person. That is what makes “Tenor Titan” so special. Aside from being such a rare and exceptional musician, Michael Brecker was a rare and exceptional human being.

[Stefan Stefansson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summary of the master of saxophone

Excellent book. Having followed Brecker's career for all these years, this book fills in the blanks, and describes this wonderful man that I once had the honour to meet and have a friendly conversation with.

[Christopher Heaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and comprehensive bio of Tenor Sax player Michael Brecker. In-depth discussion of his albums. As a straight-ahead jazz fan, I didn't know as much as I should have about Brecker's career & Milkowski does an excellent job of filling my knowledge gaps.

[Nick Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt biography of an inspirational musician.