Two bad news for jazz enthusiasts: on friday died Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane’s widow and his pianist in the latest years (of course she was performer in the mythical “Olatunji Concert” (April 23,1967); on saturday, the same bad new with saxophonist Michael Brecker.
Alice Coltrane had a musical life after Coltrane’s death. She had her own groups, following the John’s innovative trail. Recently she recorded “Translinear Light” (2004) with one of their three musicians sons, Ravi.
Michael Brecker was a great saxophonist, for jazz, and pop, rock as well. He is well-known as electric, fusion jazz. But I meet him with his brother Randy in a live in the 36 Jazzaldia San Sebastián that RTVE broadcasted in summer of 2001: “Brecker Brothers, the return of the acoustic band” (Randy and Michael Brecker, Peter Washington, Dave Kikoski and Carl Allen). Since then one of my favourite themes is “Nascente” ( Nearess of you: the ballad book, 2001).
Via Tomajazz(es) and JamSession(es).
Updated,Jan.16: obituaries of Alice Coltrane and Michael Brecker in All About Jazz