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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBRACKEEN, Joanne(b Joanne Grogan, 26 July '38, Ventura CA) Piano, composer; mostly self-taught. Began by copying parents' Frankie Carle records; then learned by copying solos of Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, later John Coltrane, developing her own rhythmic complexity and an experimental approach to harmony. Worked through '60s with Dexter Gordon, Charles Lloyd, vibraphonist Freddie McCoy (recorded on Prestige), Woody Shaw, many others; joined Art Blakey '70--72 (while hearing Blakey in a club: the pianist got lost, Brackeen took over), Joe Henderson '72--5, Stan Getz '75 (Getz Gold on Inner City); LP with Toots Thielemans Captured Alive '74 on Choice. Own LPs: Snooze '75 on Choice, with Cecil McBee, Billy Hart; Invitation with Hart, Clint Houston on bass (b 24 June '46, New Orleans) and New True Illusion (duo with Houston made the next day), both made '76 in Holland; Tring-A-Ling '77 on Choice with Hart, McBee or Houston, Mike Brecker on some tracks; Aft '77 on Timeless with Houston, Ryo Kawasaki on guitar; Trinkets And Things '78 on Timeless, duo with Kawasaki; Prism '78 on Choice, duo with Eddie Gomez; solo Mythical Magic '78 on MPS or Pausa. Keyed In '79 on Tappan Zee or CBS, Ancient Dynasty '80 on Columbia (with Henderson on tenor), Special Identity '81 on Antilles all with Gomez, Jack DeJohnette. Inside The Plane Of The Elliptic '79 under Houston's name is on Timeless; Havin' Fun '85 with McBee and Al Foster and Fi-Fi Goes To Heaven '87 on Concord Jazz, the latter her first with two horns: Terence Blanchard and Wynton Marsalis. She also contributed 'Song For Helen' to two-disc A Tribute To Bill Evans '82 on Palo Alto. All LPs feature her own tunes (except Havin' Fun, standards). She was married to saxophonist Charles Brackeen, has four children; on the position of women in music she is pragmatic: 'If I want a bass player I want a player at Eddie Gomez's level. What woman can I call?' (quoted by Linda Dahl in Stormy Weather). Breath Of Brazil incl. Gomez and Brazilian musicians; Where Legends Dwell '91 on Ken Music with Gomez and DeJohnette was followed by Take A Chance back on Concord, and on that label she also made an album in the priceless series Live At Maybeck Recital Hall, which showcases all the best pianists in the business. Turnaround '92 on Evidence incl. Donald Harrison, Cecil McBee, Marvin Smith; Power Talk '94 on Tunipseed is a trio. |