Brecker Blows His Horn

Thu., Nov. 20, 1997

William Berry Correspondent

Once a year, the Whitworth College Jazz Ensemble brings an accomplished veteran of jazz to town to solo with the band. This serves not only to inspire and educate the music students at Whitworth, but allows jazz fans to catch a big-name artist who might not otherwise make it out this way.

This year’s import is star trumpeter Randy Brecker. Dan Keberle, director of jazz studies at Whitworth, said he likes to rotate through the instruments, and it was about time for a trumpeter. He said he heard Brecker play “about two tunes” at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival last year (when the Whitworth band won) and was reminded of Brecker’s strengths as a player.

“He has always been one of my favorites,” Keberle says. “I love his sound - I try to get some of that in my sound.”

Actually, Keberle and Brecker both studied trumpet under the same teacher, Bill Adams, at Indiana University, although at different times.

Brecker’s sound is familiar to jazz fans. He has been featured on hundreds of recordings with musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Horace Silver, Art Blakey and James Taylor as well as his albums. His most recent is “Amanda,” an album done with Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias, which is dedicated to their daughter.

Brecker has worked with jazz-rock bands Dreams, and Blood, Sweat and Tears, and with his brother Mike, fronted the Brecker Brothers Band for five years. Although known for his expertise in the jazz-rock style, Brecker started out as a classically trained trumpeter and has been in demand for studio work because of his versatility in bop, funk, rock and the fusion of styles.

For his appearance with the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble, Brecker will be doing a couple of his own pieces and a lot of standards. His stuff includes “Hurdy-Gurdy” and “Guaruja,” and his takes on the tunes everybody should know will include “Cherokee,” “Green Dolphin Street,” “When Sunny Gets Blue” and a few others. For those not familiar with Brecker, go to hear some fast-paced, angular and creative improvisation with a big sound.

xxxx CONCERT Randy Brecker will perform with the Whitworth College Jazz Ensemble on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Cowles Auditorium on the Whitworth campus. Tickets are $10, available through G&B Select-a-Seat (325-SEAT), the Whitworth music office (777-3280) or at the door.

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