Post by Hollow Sun on Jan 14, 2007 23:47:24 GMT
Sadly, the influential saxophonist and EWI player, Michael Brecker, has died aged 57 of myelodysplastic syndrome, a cancer in which the bone marrow stops producing enough healthy blood cells. The disease, known as MDS, often progresses to leukemia.
Apart from being an undeniable influence in the jazz and 'fusion' (no pun intended) world as a leading saxophonist, Michael has always been a very good friend of Akai's (now a sister company to Alesis of course) through his use of the EWI and he pioneered its use (and acceptance).
Despite being very ill, Michael still retained that relationship until even recently.
I had the good fortune to meet him a few times and he was one of those people who you could call 'a genuinely nice guy'. And what a muso!!!!
A sad day for us - let's hope he's in some great jazz club in the sky having a blast.
Steve
Apart from being an undeniable influence in the jazz and 'fusion' (no pun intended) world as a leading saxophonist, Michael has always been a very good friend of Akai's (now a sister company to Alesis of course) through his use of the EWI and he pioneered its use (and acceptance).
Despite being very ill, Michael still retained that relationship until even recently.
I had the good fortune to meet him a few times and he was one of those people who you could call 'a genuinely nice guy'. And what a muso!!!!
A sad day for us - let's hope he's in some great jazz club in the sky having a blast.
Steve