The Brecker Brothers | March 22, 2024

Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio

These two brothers made quite the names for themselves! Let's hear them play!

Randy and Michael Brecker started out playing solo, but then came together, thanks to Arista Records. They made 5 albums together from 1975 to 1981, and then did two more albums together later after going on their own.

Randy is the older by 4 years and plays the trumpet and flugelhorn. Michael played the saxophone and flute. Michael died of a rare form of leukemia in 2007, cutting short an incredible jazz legacy. Randy is still going strong, and has just finished playing on his wife's new album. Her name is Ada Rovatti, and plays the saxophone.

I'll play a wide variety of their music for you on this show. Here is the playlist:

See dynamic content

Year 3

Rich Rector

Rich Rector is the host of Rich Tones Curated Jazz. A one hour journey into the wonderful world of jazz music.

See stories by Rich Rector

allan henry - ahenry.com

Rich has been around music all his life. His dad had a swing band in the 1940’s and played saxophones and clarinets. Rich played one of those clarinets in grade school band, and also took up the guitar in high school. But never was a jazz player. Instead, he listened! RichTones Curated Jazz on KPCW gives our listeners a new perspective on jazz.

While attending Stanford University Rich's roommate, Ian McIlraith, was a jazz saxophone player who was familiar with many jazz players and songs. Ian really educated him about jazz; he taught him how to listen closely for different artists’ playing styles and he introduced him to the classic jazz standards.

He honed his listening skills by attending many concerts and jazz festivals. Some of the people and places Rich remembers are Mike Stern at The Regatta Bar at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, MA; Milt Jackson at The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, CA; Bill Frisell at The Blue Note in NYC; local combos at The Green Mill in Chicago; and The Blue Room in Kansas City’s Jazz District, just to name a few. In addition, Rich was able to see performances by Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis and many more.

If you’re new to jazz, Rich Tones will introduce you to new players and sounds; if you’re already a jazz buff, Rich Tones will give you a new personal perspective on the genre.