Randy Brecker is essentially a fine hard bop trumpet soloist, but one versatile enough to fit into nearly any setting, including in the pop world, funk bands, and electronic fusion. He studied classical trumpet and attended Indiana University.
Brecker was with
Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1967, and spent 1968-1969 playing with
Horace Silver's quintet. He also appeared with the big bands of
Clark Terry,
Duke Pearson,
Frank Foster, and the
Thad Jones/
Mel Lewis orchestra. After playing with the early fusion group
Dreams in 1969, he worked with
Larry Coryell's Eleventh House and
Billy Cobham, in addition to keeping very busy with studio work. He teamed up with
Michael Brecker in the popular funk-oriented
Brecker Brothers (1974-1979); in the '80s he often collaborated with his wife, pianist/vocalist
Eliane Elias; and in the '90s he toured with the reunited
Brecker Brothers. But
Randy Brecker still sounds best when in a freewheeling bebop combo, and fortunately he occasionally records in that type of spontaneous setting. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide