Jazz Legends

Writing Original Tunes

Everyone in the group writes original music, some of which has been played publicly in the past and some which will be premiered this week. In this episode, the guys discuss what it's like to write their own original tunes.

Michael Brecker

Saxophonist/composer Michael Brecker (born March 29, 1949) was one of the most recorded saxophonists of all time. Over his four-decade career he appeared on over 900 recordings as a leader and sideman and received fifteen Grammys. His virtuoso saxophone technique and soulful expressiveness made him a clear favorite of a whole generation of players who fell under his influence, setting the bar extremely high for anyone trying to emulate his prodigious abilities.

Carla Bley

Pianist, organist, composer, and bandleader Carla Bley (born May 11, 1936) considered herself primarily a composer, saying she was 99% composer and 1% pianist. She associated herself with the avant guard movement, allying herself with musicians like Charlie Haden, Michael Mantler, and others in her cutting edge ensembles, she organized the Jazz Composers Guild in the 1960s featuring many of the most innovative musicians in NYC at the time, and her record label released recordings of Don Cherry, Roswell Rudd and Clifford Thornton.

Burton Lane

Composer and lyricist Burton Lane (born Feb 2, 1912) is perhaps best remembered as the composer of the hit Broadway shows "Finian’s Rainbow" and "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever", but he had a long and distinguished career writing for films and the stage, and his tunes are much loved vehicles for jazz musicians.

Richie Bierach

Pianist and composer Richie Beirach (born May 23, 1947) made hundreds of recordings, both as a leader of his own groups, and as part of a long-standing duo with saxophonist Dave Liebman. He taught jazz piano in Leipzig, Germany at the University of Music and Theater and lived in Germany up to his death earlier this year.