Recorded August 2006 Label Heads Up Release date 22 May 2007 | Length 77:46 Artist Michael Brecker Genre Jazz | |
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Released May 22, 2007 (2007-05-22) Studio Right Track Recording, New York City Producers Michael Brecker, Gil Goldstein, Steve Rodby, Pat Metheny Awards Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album Similar Michael Brecker albums, Jazz albums | ||
Pilgrimage is the final studio album, released in 2007, by the American jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker. In 2005, Brecker was diagnosed with myelogenous leukemia, and at the time of the recording in August 2006 he was already gravely ill. He recorded Pilgrimage with the knowledge that it would most likely be his last album; he died in January 2007. The album's personnel consists of Brecker, John Patitucci, Jack DeJohnette, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and Brad Mehldau.
Contents
Influence
Despite his losing battle with leukemia, Brecker fully commands each track on the album. His sound is rich, powerful, and strong, and his tone and vigor do not suggest any illness or affliction. The other musicians on the album were all aware of Brecker's condition, and used that knowledge to encourage him and make the album a success. Herbie Hancock said of Brecker:
"Michael now has reached a new level as a composer and musician. Despite his disease, or actually because of it, he managed to climb higher mountains and to walk ahead. The best way to take a poison is to change it into a medicine. At the moment, Michael experiences something very destructive and changes it into something extremely constructive."
Composition
Brecker's compositions on the album are some of his most complex and thoroughly composed music. His positive attitude toward his disease seems to rub off in the music, especially "Tumbleweed" and "The Mean Time", as they are full of high energy and intense interaction among the personnel. The title of the ballad "When Can I Kiss You Again?" is allegedly a quote from Brecker's son, who asked him that question while Brecker was in critical care and isolation after his stem cell transplant. The album won Brecker two posthumous Grammy awards for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo (for his solo on "Anagram") and Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group.
Track listing
All music composed by Michael Brecker.
Personnel
Awards
2008 – 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards
Songs
1The Mean Time6:57
2Five Months From Midnight7:41
3Anagram10:11