Heads Up Nabs a Brecker Brother

Heads Up International recently announced the signing of saxophonist and composer Michael Brecker (pictured). Brecker, who is celebrated as the most-studied contemporary instrumentalist in music schools throughout the world, will release his first Heads Up CD in 2005. The album will also be released as an SACD in 5.1 Surround Sound.

Heads Up, a Cleveland-based jazz label that will celebrate its fifteenth anniversary in 2005, is excited to add such a renowned musician to its roster, which also includes the bands Yellowjackets and Spyro Gyra.

“It’s an extremely happy day here in the office,” says Dave Love, president of Heads Up International. “Michael Brecker is at the top of his game and to be a part of his career at this point is very exciting. Michael’s music has inspired countless young musicians, and we are going to work hard to even further expand his fan base.”

Brecker has recorded with numerous jazz and pop acts throughout his successful career, including Herbie Hancock, John Lennon, Paul Simon, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Charles Mingus, Aretha Franklin, Parliament Funkadelic, Joni Mitchell, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, James Brown, Frank Sinatra, Lou Reed, Chet Baker, Bruce Springsteen and Frank Zappa.

Brecker, Hancock and Roy Hargrove won the “Best Jazz Instrumental Album” Grammy for the collaborative effort Directions in Music in 2003, and Brecker won two more Grammys for his first large ensemble recording, Wide Angles, which featured the 15-piece Michael Brecker Quindectet, in 2004.

Brecker will be touring Europe this summer with his Quindectet before starting to record his new album.

More information on Brecker, including tour dates, can be found at his Web site, www.michaelbrecker.com.

Originally Published May 20, 2004