Died On This Date (January 13, 2007) Michael Brecker / Jazz Sax Great

Michael Brecker
March 29, 1949 – January 13, 2007

Michael Brecker was a highly regarded and influential jazz saxophonist who many considered the greatest since John Coltrane.  Over a career that spanned nearly four decades, Brecker won 15 Grammys and collaborated with a list of greats that includes pop stars like Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, John Lennon and James Taylor; and jazz icons like Horace Silver, Charles Mingus, McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock.  He also played in the Saturday Night Live house band during the ’80s.  Michael Brecker was 57 when he died from complications of leukemia.

Thanks to Brian McCloskey for the assist.


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Died On This Date (November 10, 2009) Dick Katz / Jazz Pianist

Dick Katz
March 13, 1924 – November 10, 2009

dickkatzDick Katz was a jazz pianist and arranger who, throughout his career, played with the likes of Benny Carter, Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins.  He landed a record deal with the legendary Atlantic Records in 1958.  And in 1966, he co-founded Milestone Records, a respected label that released albums by the likes of McCoy Tyner, Paul Bley and Rollins.  The label was absorbed by Fantasy Records in 1972.  Katz was also a respected music educator and writer, penning numerous jazz-related essays and liner notes throughout his 60-year career.  Dick Katz was 85 when he died of lung cancer on November 10, 2009.