Charles Brackeen

Saxophonist Charles Brackeen is a legendary hero among those who appreciate and respect the many and varied traditions of creatively improvised music that have developed as a continuum following the courageous trailblazing of saxophonists Albert Ayler, John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, Marion Brown, John Tchicai, Charles Tyler, Joseph Jarman, Roscoe Mitchell, Anthony Braxton, Julius Hemphill, and Sam Rivers. Possessed of a tone parallel to that of John Gilmore, Brackeen's steadfast dedication to inspired, colorful, and emotionally textured music has never been sufficiently recognized, nor has he received anything amounting to more than fragmentary compensation for his contributions to the art of improvisation. Born in Oklahoma on March 13, 1940, he spent some time in Texas before moving to California in 1956. He studied piano and violin before permanently settling upon the saxophones as his chosen family of instruments. After working with vibraphonist Dave Pike and trumpeters Art Farmer and Joe Gordon, he began sitting in with more progressive improvisers like pocket cornetist Don Cherry, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Billy Higgins. He also met, made music with, and married pianist Joanne Grogan. The Brackeens produced four children, moved to New York in 1965, and eventually divorced. By the time he made his first album in 1968, Brackeen had grown into a strong-toned tenor and alto player who in time would display remarkable dexterity on the soprano saxophone as well, sounding very much like Pharoah Sanders on that horn. Released on the Strata East label, Rhythm X was a reunion of sorts as Brackeen interacted with Cherry, Haden, and Ed Blackwell on a collectively improvised set worthy of that trio's mentor, Ornette Coleman. Brackeen reappeared in 1973...