A few people have asked what instruments I used to create this clip. THe lead is, of course, baritone saxophone. There are also C flute and Alto flute parts (that haunting undertone to the final melody statement...) and MIDI strings.
The strings were programmed using Digital Performer and the East West/Quantum Leap Gold String Orchestra library. And a LOT of editing and tweaking to get the expressions correct. All lead and melodic string parts were played on EWI to get that "breathiness" in the expression.
I wrote, orchestrated, performed, engineered and mixed the piece in its entirety. |
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Michael Brecker died on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at age 57 from leukemia and I feel like a little piece of me has died as well. Funny, in that I knew Michael only from afar, having met him on several occasions at his gigs and through mutual friends. I knew (and know) his music on a much more intimate level. I have spent the better part of 25 years trying to figure out what the hell he was doing. And more pressingly, HOW the hell he was doing it! As a saxophonist, he was unequalled and truly was the logical extension of ‘Trane. I think there are few that would argue the technical genius of Michael’s saxophone or EWI playing. I can’t imagine many would argue his melodic lyricism or his poignant, cryingly vocal sound. He was certainly unmistakable and everything he touched seemed to take on a mysticism and magic. He definitely had “that” gift, however it is defined...
I wrote and recorded this piece in honor of Michael.
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