Tenor saxophonist Mark Turner offers a heartfelt, forthright evaluation of Michael Brecker, including this:
I saw him put his horn on at clinics and soundchecks and–cold, without warming up–instantly play the most f——- incredible sh–, stuff that most saxophonists simply cannot deal with.
Okay, I cleaned it a little up for a family audience. To read all of Turner’s unexpurgated throughts about Brecker, go to The Bad Plus web log, Do The Math. Pianist Ethan Iverson writes most of the blog. It is worth frequent visits. I have added its link to Other Places in the right-hand column.