Aries Saxophone Legend Michael Brecker Dies

Jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker died of leukemia on January 13. Michael was hands down one of the best contemporary tenor players. In my teens, I first heard him in Steps Ahead, and devotedly followed him as he developed his solo career, reunited with his brother Randy in The Brecker Brothers, and participated in numerous side projects. I knew he had a blood disease a few years ago, but his death is still a shock, and I feel sad every time I hear him on internet radio.

Michael was born March 29, 1949 (time unknown), on an Aries New Moon. His Sun is conjunct Mars and Venus, opposite Neptune, and trine Pluto. Venus-Neptune is a musically intuitive and imaginative combination, and Mars in its own sign – conjunct an Aries New Moon – corresponds with his barrelhouse, driving jazz solos. An Aries New Moon signifies the "burst of life," and Michael's playing literally "initiated" a whole new style, with probably thousands of jazz musicians studying his transcribed solos note for note.

He also has Mercury in musical Pisces square brilliant Uranus, a combination that fits his unique, twist-and-turn melodies. Truly, a genius. He will be missed.