Michael Brecker solo - Pick up The Pieces Montreux 1977

[@stevens2647]

if you're still watching in 2024, you're immediately on my cool list 👇

[@Pat_S]

I watch this every single day

[@michaelroach4219]

I'm here. It never gets old.

[@petern.9392]

Society was peaking and we didn’t even know it.

[@chadkim1329]

Yayyy 🎉

[@michaellicko2746]

I can’t stop watching this.

[@Phil-w4u]

Montreaux was a very prestigious festival..if you were invited to play you were going places.

[@nicksinderson3302]

Michael Becker, jazz & a orchestra! I wish l was there that day and with the magic of you tube 40+ years later l am!

[@victormendes6523]

From time to time I have to come here to watch it / listen to it again … epic solo

[@cavaliermama56]

Nobody like him, never will be. What a talent.

[@mariolicitri1763]

For sure, coming from another universe!

[@melvinpolanski7249]

One key, one chord, one rhythm, but I could hear Michael making a work of art out of it. RIP Michael.

[@ivanmay7890]

Michael Brecker is pretty much one of the most imitated sax players in history, which is just a fancy way of describing how good Michael Brecker was as a saxophonist.

[@gnypp45]

This has to be the best "Pick up The Pieces" rythm section groove I've heard in my life. So relaxed, while at the same time perfectly in-the-pocket. Not a hint of rushing either, but a rock steady pulse.

[@LinRountreemusic]

OMG I was thinking the same thing!! 💯

[@nevillesax5876]

the funkiest Scotsmen on the planet, always were....

[@SquirtSimpson]

The congas are awesome in this, can't agree more

[@thebreathalyzer]

Locked it in the pocket.

[@davidscott1052]

Check out Phil Collins big band version ...has Pee Wee doinga sax solo 💥💥💥💥

[@ecolobrodu]

Outstanding playing from Brecker's Robert De Niro phase - contrasts with but also foreshadows his Steve Jobs phase still to come

[@twangbarfly]

LOL!!!

[@uncleremus5046]

😂WTF!!!

[@ChromaticHarp]

Stupid comment.

[@ChromaticHarp]

You think you’re funnier than you actually are.

[@andradas9688]

hilarious!!

[@mroboe1032]

Amazing solo and note choice, but beyond that, I am just amazed at how casual and free he was to leave open space and think as he created a spontaneous composition. I cherish having heard him in person. It was a gift.

[@terrymiller111]

Don't forget the dynamics.

[@emilianoturazzi]

I agree - the most noticeable thing in this solo, to me, is the way he begins, the great amount of void he lets in. The construction, sorry to say, is a bit too much predictable in my opinion. his command of the instrument absolutely insane, but this is a thing everyone knows...

[@skonchslots9552]

Yea. He was so good on and off the field.

[@firstlast4874]

@@emilianoturazzi 45 years ago - nearly half a century - the construction wasn't predictable. Many of what may now appear to be cliches were added to the lexicon by MB

[@icrelad]

how the others saxs look at him !

[@TheChrisheath7]

OMG I miss this guy so much. Two of my tenor heroes on that stage. The god that was Brecker, and my old friend and British sax hero Dick Morrissey. Both long gone. So sad.

[@TheChrisheath7]

Jim Mullen probably in there as well.

[@TheChrisheath7]

Happy times

[@alexwillats]

Genius. Modern players take note...never forget the musicality in your playing. Super speedy 'sheets of sound' are nothing without melody, purpose and direction. Brecker segues seamlessly from slow rhythmic phrasing to fast frenetic lines and takes us on a captivating journey with his playing. It was, and is, never dull and never soulless. What a legend!

[@ewi4000]

So true.

[@Borland12345]

Musical storytelling

[@paulmillard9942]

I think everyone on that stage knew they were witnessing greatness at that moment, an amazing piece of storytelling on the saxophone, just absolutely inspiring stuff and as fresh and vital as it sounded over forty years ago.

[@ewi4000]

Agree.

[@firstlast4874]

@jim hutchison Nor did they have much to do with the original other than recycling some James Brown riffs. And no, AWB were not "jazz men", not by any stretch

[@firstlast4874]

@jim hutchison Thanks, but I'm not in the custom of accepting free, unsolicited advice. It's usually worth less than you pay for it. Your tr0lling needs work

[@mattiasorre1718]

My dad was in that band. I rather think they were all just really enjoying that every band member is top notch, but otoh they were used to that. If you weren't, you weren't sharing the stage with them

[@meavethecat1031]

@@mattiasorre1718 Cool ! Which one is him ?

[@danmarcsca3835]

I love the smiling faces of other musicians in total disbelieve of what is actually occurring there ... Amazing how one musician can lift a big ban out of musicianship ...

[@xMrPookx]

"yo...who wants the next solo? "Nah man I'm good."

[@michaelbalogh4326]

LMOL

[@davidcar1005]

Love it!

[@fogonautasbrasil4882]

Me, please !......Certainly ! With honor !

[@disndat1000]

Let's have Jack pick it up from here. Jack? Jack??? Where the hell is Jack????

[@fdemar]

David Sanborn talks about being in the Brecker Brothers, and it basically boiled down to that when it came to solos.

[@FusionHowie]

Alien lands on earth asks, what does the magic of music sound like? The answer... this recording! Thank you for posting this gift! Peace from Detroit MI.

[@HoodedJeans]

young high octane Mike spewing forth hot pentatonic chromatic bop dogma over a relaxed funky vamp is the ultimate solution to man's ills

[@worldwideuploads]

So well put.

[@HoodedJeans]

@@worldwideuploads thank you brother

[@anyITsolution]

Healing is right... i get the chills ..

[@gerryvanderzeypen1214]

well now.....that was WELL PUT!!!.....ya!

[@rodelliot]

...and a college dropout. Just imagine how much better he'd have been with a proper education! :-)

[@Sythetico]

A Bonide genius...I had the privilege of hearing AWB in person and I wish Mr. Brecker was on the show

[@paulwilliams5013]

Brecker's solo here is a daily life lesson...inspiring!

[@jasondanielian5265]

I've watched this hundreds of times....today...

[@matteotalamini5147]

Today i almost forgot to watch it

[@danmarcsca3835]

Still hasn't been remotely replaced ... Best saxophonist that ever walked the Earth

[@Scenescout55532]

Nay, Shorter or Coltrane. They enter territory that makes you reach for words like prophetic to describe. This is extraordinarily cool though.

[@ericmatthews2313]

Except Trane. And Mintzer. And Berg. And Eric Alexander. And...

[@denismmoulin]

@@ericmatthews2313 Agreed for Coltrane ... But well ... Berg ? Are you kidding me ????? 🤣😂🤣😂

[@raghailligh1080]

This kind of hyperbole is silly, as the ranking of artists. As great as Brecker was, even if one just sticks to tenor players, lots of great names come to mind, beyond those already mentioned - Getz, Webster, Gordon, Rollins, etc. Actually, his tone here reminds me a bit of Sonny Rollins' work from the same era, which was what sparked my initial love for jazz as a teen in the 70s.

[@cronkitepercussion]

I used to sing this solo on the way to school.

[@ddruc40]

Probably the best Brecker funky solo I have heard. Of course, it is hard to pick from the hundreds of amazing solos Michael has done

[@SamIAm-kz4hg]

Every other sax player on that stage must know they can only be second, at best.

[@Alessandronick98]

Bob berg ... hold my beer !!! Michael is a monster but i think bobbrg was a very legends

[@SamIAm-kz4hg]

@@Alessandronick98 I agree. He was as close as it gets to Brecker. That same fat sound, and awesome ideas. That was a tragedy.

[@firstlast4874]

@@SamIAm-kz4hg " That same fat sound" - NY Crunch

[@mrlboroughocho786]

Always love how Brecker can have that Talk Show sax energy while incorporating that kind of Coltranian noisy sponteneanity. So good

[@showingYOUtheworld]

THANK YOU ❗ This guy was and he still is from another dimension. R.I.P. MICHAEL. The Jazz world is not the same without you.

[@alexanderwes5204]

I totally agree with you! A great loss :-(

[@dhampex3631]

I’m going to say what I said 4 yrs ago MMAAAAANNN I MISS MICHAEL BRECKER!!!! No on, I mean No one will ever fill his shoes,,, ever!!!!!

[@davidanania5618]

As much as I can be an absolute "get offuh my lawn" guy about most current pop music, what I could focus on is how unbelievably grateful I am to have been born and experienced such incredible, soulful, pure, virtuosic musicianship, like these cats here. Wow.

[@BTritone]

Awesome solo! So glad I got to meet and hang out with Mike at a jazz conference what a privilege to be able to walk around and talk with him for a bit. Truly Mike, Trane and my dad are my biggest influences on the tenor sax!

[@markowen2649]

Had this album from the moment it was released.... Fucking Amazing ❤.. everyone who played on it !!!

[@johndixon5063]

Brecker is an architect!! Build a solo like nobodys business!!

[@michaelroach4219]

Oh man, everytime I listen to this video, I am getting a lesson.Michael Brecker was out there , with the other masters.

[@juliandezoete1587]

What an inspiring saxophone solo and the way he his is playing his sax 🎷 long way to go for me 😊

[@alcrutcher7862]

Tone, Tone, Tone! This never gets old.

[@leroyharper4513]

Indeed every note has so much character

[@christopherfischer6998]

I can’t stop watching this. Sooooooooo killin. Brecker was such a monster

[@solecaring1230]

Now I know where James Carter got his idea of how to play the solo part :)

[@Alessandronick98]

With bob berg .... 2 legends

[@DexterBellMusic]

Whole recording here kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIubn3ypf6uYhrM

[@williamgregory1848]

My saxophone teacher was friends with Michael Brecker and actually did a few gigs with him in the 90s and the two of them worked on a project together. My saxophone teacher was also in New York for a jazz educators conference when he heard that Mike died. It really messed him up because because even though he wasn’t close with Mike, he admired him both as a musician and a person. Rest In Peace Michael Brecker 🙏🏾🎷

[@CubingDude]

Absolute Dope. A Monster. And how he goes so slowly from a quiet beginning to the final storm is so perfect.

[@ricardoerdoscappon3640]

Steve Ferrone on drums

[@keeperotln1]

Steve Ferrone is on the stage sitting in that pocket. Ive shared the stage with this groove master.....it's like putting on a comfortable pair of house slippers. And Michael.....wheww!! Walks that horse before he gives him the giddyup kick to gallop. 🙌🏾

[@martinbe5111]

That horn break with the bassline at the beginning is just beautiful

[@massimosoddu5884]

The king.The best saxofonist of all times

[@haroldbrooks4235]

I rarely say that anyone is the best at anything except this. Mike’s Sax had to be given to him by God himself ❤

[@ericmatthews2313]

Which god?

[@cooljazzr]

Notice how Roger Ball, Morrissey, and Jakubovik are smiling and grooving to Brecker's solo!

[@valeriosalevs9006]

For Michael Brecker specialists only: from 3.05 'til 4.00 he plays for the first time the same scales and rhythm technique used in the outstanding live solo on Purple Lagoon , Frank Zappa in New York 1979. Check it out!

[@julikun724]

I'm so glad someone else noticed that! That "Purple Lagoon" solo is even better than this

[@aloysiussnailchaser272]

What a player! I saw him quite a few times and he was unfailingly brilliant.

[@hdubont856]

What a groove. What a band. Everyone enjoys. And Michael on the side, working passionately on telling his story.

[@VeriteProductions1]

Wow. This is one of the first cassettes that I had. I used to listen to this over and over. Little did I realize 4 years later I had the chance perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The Altlant8c All Stars were amazing. Thanks for sharing this.

[@p.diddle]

Oh man, I realize how much I miss his musical talent and sound. Absolutely awesome to hear how he builds his solo. Love the admiration from the rest of the horn section during his solo. Just gold. Thank you for sharing 💖

[@jongoforth1405]

No question, one of the all time greats. Interesting to me is how he used some of the same shapes in his solo on “Skunk Funk” on the “Heavy Metal Bebop” album, recorded at almost the same time. Key of Fm concert-the key of love on the tenor, fer shure. What a wicked pisser of a player; in addition, he was really kind and supportive. A great human being all around. He’s up with other greats now. Thanks for posting this!

[@marktyler3381]

Shocking, almost like he's transposing that solo over this one. So many of the same phrases and melodic directions. . Maybe he'd listened to that live recording many times getting ready for pressing, and it was kind of stuck in his head?

[@penchev73]

No comment. Best of the best🎶🎶🎶🎷🎷🎷🥇🥇🥇😊😊😊

[@dhampex3631]

MMAAAAANNN I MISS MICHAEL BRECKER!!!! No on, I mean No one will ever fill his shoes,,, ever!!!!!

[@craigparrish7139]

The talent on that stage is practically unprecedented, and Michael Brecker's solo is simply flamethrowing.

[@brianlange3675]

So caught up in the solo but I just realized he must’ve thrown his sunglasses out! Clearly one of my favorite influencers as a player.

[@pnwjazzer5849]

at 1:42 , he took it off and sat it down with his left hand.

[@aloysiussnailchaser272]

@@pnwjazzer5849 I’m glad he did as he was reminding me of Zoot the Muppet.

[@5h5hz]

@@aloysiussnailchaser272 he's Michael Brecker, he can do whatever he wants

[@aloysiussnailchaser272]

@@5h5hzHe certainly can, and he did. I saw him many times and he never disappointed. I meant no disrespect, but when I saw him wearing the sunglasses I saw Zoot, and I couldn’t unsee it. I was relieved when he took them off.

[@GaryFox11000]

Man was incredible his playing was tasty , melodic incredible ; Very unique one of a kind talent ! Virtuouso on saxophone. 🎷👏👍

[@brianpowell9620]

holy frack! Best funk sax solo ever.

[@mainmajo]

After that i sit in my car in germany and be complete unable to listen radio today 💭🎼👍💐

[@ewi4000]

haha

[@SteelyDaddy59]

I bought this double album about 40 years ago and have been listening to this solo ever since. It's great to be able to watch it after all this time. Thanks Louis!

[@seriousoldman8997]

The times I've bought this album out for people and said "Check this out." Gently grooving through the whole side and Mike comes in at the end.....

[@martynobs6970]

STUNNING !!! This guy had a gift that is irreplaceable

[@Kesokavra]

Corazón❤ y alma lo llaman... a ese don!! ❤

[@logos6786]

This dude comes from another galaxy.

[@kevintownsend3840]

Damn Mike my speakers just caught fire 🔥

[@jessiehernandez9468]

Amazing jam with this song. Awesomely excellent. ❤

[@TheRealFartmanly]

Yes!!!!!!! Finally a visual to put to that amazing solo! Thank you for kindly!

[@andradas9688]

So, so intense, amazing solo from top to end...legendary, eternal.

[@Charles-le1mm]

l was there ❤ fantastic memory

[@athenahunter]

You are so fortunate.

[@mattgleason2617]

Wow didn’t know there was a video of this…! Listened to the audio many times…love how he escalates this to completely unforeseen levels!!

[@mrmatthew2443]

Heck ya Mikevis still and always will be the man..!!! Thank you for posting I’m on a Michael Becker tutelage

[@justinsublett5880]

I grew up idolizing this cat right here!!!

[@vindenwylde5450]

Love this ! .. What a Sax player !

[@remingtonride]

wow! love how much space he left in the early part, and how relaxed it seemed - and the note bending

[@sampowellmusic]

Wish it never ended.

[@johnfarmer4099]

Whoa. Takes confidence to start a solo like that. Confidence that the band will be patient with a slow build. Maybe it was practiced that way but the the the band looked I kind of don’t think so. I think they were excitingly anticipating how it was going to develop

[@matthewjones8775]

It's Michael Brecker. Everyone in that band knows he's bringing the sauce every time he gets on a stage

[@AmericasChoice]

Most great solos start with a 3-4 note set...

[@yamiii]

But thats how most people solo in jazz band? You never start right on the solo section you're either a measure or 2 early or a few late with a build up

[@JayAyers]

He's Michael "Dont you know who I am?" Becker after all

[@InTheNavy47]

@@matthewjones8775 God damn. I clicked "reply" just to type this. LMFAO. Thank you.

[@chewgumer]

Nice to see the late great English tenor player Dick Morrisey there.

[@JJamJ]

Yep, loved the Morrison Mullen band👌

[@dereknelson9403]

Amazing talent...R.I.P. Michael

[@rain_178]

At 1:44 he takes his shades off with such precision and speed I cannot any more

[@danjuric622]

That's an incredible sound. What a supportive all-star backing. Thank you!

[@haroldbrooks4235]

Mike was just Ridiculous ❤❤❤

[@TheFabioguerreiro]

EXTRAORDINÁRIO, SOM QUE ARREPIA A PELE , NOTA 10👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

Just an insane solo. Love this so much

[@darylsol]

Louis Gerrits - thanks so much for posting this. Such a relaxed and funky Brecker solo

[@martynobs6970]

RIP Mike....you were awesome !!

[@christophmueller1087]

Incredible! I did. Not know this yet, Thank you so much Louis! I have the impression, Mike was not at all done with his solo yet, the band backed in in the middle of it. I could have listened many miutes more!

[@raginbakin1430]

This is about as good as it gets, man. Holy shit

[@kennybradshaw2122]

One of the most artist animals on tenor sax ever!!!!!

[@paulweimar5347]

What a groove ... Mike was the greatest. It would have been awesome to see Dick Morrisey have a solo too. One of the best UK sax players ever!!

[@rexmelgoza4703]

Nobody talks about the UK scene when it comes to jazz... is the scene comparable to the us giants of jazz?

[@professorbrancomellobercho3009]

Maravilhoso, d+, simplesmente unbelievable, beautiful, top top...

[@fusionfan6883]

Oh man thanks for posting! Have loved both AWB and the Breckers for ever, and what a cast of stellar musicians assembled for this monster jam! This was when great music came from the gut, no glossy over production, just creativity, virtuosity and killer groove!

[@岩佐浩章-o2q]

wow , he is splendid guy!!

[@-dash]

2:22 I recognized that lick from a solo in Idris Muhammad’s song Crab Apple. Just looked it up and it turns out that was Michael Brecker playing on that track!

[@leonguisburg413]

Mike, Mike, Mike!!! Rest Easy Brotherman!!!

[@synapsocorp3436]

Hi - I can hardly trust my eyes to watch this video - more than 35 years after I bought the record of this concert („The Atlantic family live at Montreux“) - and it’s so amazing to see, at least a part of it, in video now. I listened to that track for endless times, then. Thanks so much for sharing and my big wish: If you have other parts of this piece (specially the Don Ellis Solo in this piece) or the whole track as video: PLEASE LOAD IT UP, MAN!!! (Pick up the pieces😉)

[@ewi4000]

This is all there is from the concert.

[@travlak]

What does “this is all there is” mean, exactly? Do you mean it’s all you could find? Because it’s clearly cut from a longer recording. Perhaps it’s from some kind of Montreux highlights recording that only shows Michael’s solo?

[@ewi4000]

@@travlak It’s all I could find. I’m sure the full concert is in the Montreux archives.

[@jakobjager6878]

From 3:40 on the Camera man couldn't help but groovin

[@davidscott1052]

l see Dick Morrissey in the background would love to have seen his solo would have been awesome !!!!!

[@alessandrotozzi5496]

Inarrivabile. Best solo ever

[@monroec.hatcherjr.8233]

Mr. Michael Brecker was such sn inspiration to Modern Hip Saxophone soloing...I mean if you are like me...and grew up when he was out there...you can't hrlp but be influenced by his playing..at least I know that's how it was for me.

[@monroec.hatcherjr.8233]

Sheesh mab that bell is going to blow up off that dere tenor sax of Mike's!!!

[@danparker8254]

What a rhythm section build!

[@LCohenSax]

I always thought there must be video footage of this and sure enough after all these years it magically appears, courtesy of the great Louis Gerrits.

[@sisyphus73]

Mike was just 28 years-old in this video 🤯🙏

[@DrummerSpark]

didnt think i would ever find a version with the video, thank you so much!!

[@davidscott1052]

great to see the wonderful Dick Morrissey in the sax lineup

[@mariolicitri1763]

3:35 what a magnificent phrasing!