It has been a sad weekend for the jazz world with the death of two prominent musicians. Alice Coltrane and Michael Brecker both died this weekend.
Born Alice McLeod in 1937, she met and married John Coltrane, credited as the creator of avant-garde music. Alice played with John's band until his death in 1967.Her instruments of choice were piano, harp and Wurlitzer organ.
Alice's most recent albums were recorded for the Verve label.
Michael Brecker had been suffering from the pre-leukemic disease MDS. He was diagnosed in 2005. In May 2006, he underwent an experimental stem cell operation that did not go as well as hoped. Doctor's had been searching for a suitable bone marrow match for Brecker over the past year but were unable to find the right match.
Born in Philadelphia in 1949, Brecker recorded his own albums with his bands Horace Silver and the Brecker Brothers (with brother Randy).
He was also a well-known session musican appearing on albums by Paul Simon, James Taylor and Yoko Ono.
