When the solo is so heartbreaking you reconsider life

This solo never fails to capture emotionally and take you onto a ride that leaves you in a different state. The build up is incredible, Michael Brecker and the rest of the band have so much cohesion that accumulates here. This solo is from "Common Grounds", a beautiful ballad written by Mike Stern, here performed live in Barcelona 1992.

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[SharpElevenMusic]

Subscribe to get more epic solos in your feed and learn from the legends through our transcriptions and breakdowns.

[mfranke]

„I have often mentioned that the most treacherous location in the jazz world was to be on a bandstand as the guy who has to play the solo right after Mike Brecker.“ - Pat Metheny’s very true words at the memorial service.

[Kject]

When it's the 90's and you're lookin on the weather channel but the music just keeps you parked there.

[jamiemeansjamesmusic]

This, this is why Mike reigns supreme. He knew when to shred, when to play bebop, but he also knew how to be soulful. Everything he did was 100% intentful, from his heart and mind. He was the best of the best.

[ConnorEllisSaxophone]

It always touches me how Michaels solos were simultaneously so technically complex and impressive but also told wonderfully meaningful stories at the same time. I’ll spend the rest of my life chasing that balance and that is just fine with me. The world misses your goodness, Michael ❤❤❤

[npeabs]

I've been listening, and playing all of my life. I've listened to Mike all of my life. This is, hands-down, the best solo, any genre, I've ever heard. Mike was a gift. RIP

[michaelmintchev]

the way this solo ends is really what gets me. after building the softest bits to snare hits that feel like slaps, and michael builds it to a point that seems so nuts you can't imagine what comes next, the band softening to a whisper, and it seem like michael can barely get the next notes out. really intense

[Darksage]

I just can't belive how even when he plays such technically demanding phrases, it never ceases to be musical.

[TunedNoise]

How does Mike Stern always write the most devastatingly beautiful ballads? Just heart-stopping, every single one of them 😭

[mersouled]

When I was 18 I was listening to this recording at least a 100 times, and especially loved Mike Brecker's solo. It's just so sublime and immensely beautiful. Thanks for the transcription!

[SharpElevenMusic]

This solo never fails to move me personally. Everything is in there: expansive motif building (on Randy's last motif of his solo), dexterity, sound (from beautiful subtone to a projective bright sound), and most of all insane amounts of expressiveness. Not to mention how great the band builds together with Brecker (Dennis Chambers, wow!). How the solo builds to a climax, then to lay it down right at the end... It always gives me personally goosebumps, occasionally a tear. And I know I'm not the only one, according to the comment section on the source video.

Why do you think this is such a great solo? Let me know in the comments.


/Jorre

[sonjatiemessen]

It is so amazing to hear how someone is able to tell a story without using words, just let his heart speak through his tenor saxophone! 🎷🇳🇱

[paulmaglio]

I have to admit that outside of the brass world, I don't know many soloists, so I have no idea how the algorithm got me here - I'm just glad it did. This was an unbelievable solo!

[danielllarenasaxofonista]

Michael Brecker! Never disappoints. Genius, RIP.

[lucazanardelli]

Best tenor ever, n.1 forever, thanks for all your gifts like this Michael, RIP god and angels enjoy your tenor now, lucky them

[ezequielgarciapinilla]

Thanks Mike Stern for this composition. Unlimited thanks Michael Brecker, unlimited thanks... crying for this celestial solo.

[loganfox]

How did i get tears in my eyes and then end up smiling within a few minutes. That was absolutely incredible.

[kevinnathanson]

At the peak of musical greatness, at the top of the pyramid, is the notion of 'transcendence'. Where all the theory, dexterity, musicality, ensemble awareness, and pure technical mastery of one's instrument just fade away, and all that is left is feeling. Itzhak Perlman, Michael Brecker, Bill Evans are three. It's a pretty short list. We miss you Michael; so glad I got to see you all of the times that I did, you made them unforgettable.

[Eden_Rubin_Music]

Oh men, this solo is really something, always touched my heart. Just show how at the same night he can break your face with "Some Skunk Funk" and be so technical and emotional at once, and then melt your heart with this. The thing I love the most about Mike Brecker was the fact that he was very emotional and using phrases and feels that came from the more "popular music"/"smooth jazz" world and at the same time being able to kick your ass playing the most sophisticated kind of jazz at the same time, Giant Steps or something. My favourite Saxophone player of all times.

[sbaiar]

I very possibly may have commented on this before, but that is without question, beyond a shadow of a doubt, one of Michael's most unbelievable solos. It has brought me to tears on multiple occasions, gives me chills every time. Oh, I miss you Mike.