Michael Brecker was a composer and saxophonist born in Philadelphia in 1949 whose original works became central to his legacy as a bandleader. His compositional output emerged primarily through his solo albums beginning with Michael Brecker in 1987, which was voted Jazz Album of the Year by DownBeat and Jazziz. Subsequent recordings including Don't Try This at Home, Tales from the Hudson, and the large-ensemble Wide Angles for his 15-piece Quindectet each earned Grammy Awards and showcased increasingly ambitious writing. His final album Pilgrimage, recorded in 2007 while terminally ill, consisted entirely of original compositions and stands as a testament to his dedication to the craft. AllSolos features his compositions Sea Glass and Syzygy. Brecker's writing was shaped by collaborations with his brother Randy Brecker, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and Jack DeJohnette, among many others.
