Joanne Brackeen

Joanne Grogan Brackeen is a Pianiste of Jazz, Compositeur and teaching with the Berklee College off Music with Boston. It was born with Ventura in the south from the California on July 26th, 1938. She is regarded as one of the most accomplished pianists of the Jazz. Indeed, one often compares it with Jessica Williams, for his play or, Andrew Hill for his percussif and at the same time lyric style. That thus represents a very large pallet. Joanne plays and composes often a very complex but always mélodieuse music. Its insurance and its control of the musical quality allow him a very great expressivity and an absolute freedom highlighted during its associations in trio, particularly.

Its course

Its beginnings

Joanne studies the music as of the 5 years age. But, she will play truly of the piano only as from 9 years. She takes courses then, but very quickly is bored and does not involve itself. Towards the twelve years age, Joanne is tested with the improvisation by imitating its idol: Frankie Carle (pianist and Co-leader of a group of Jazz). For that, after having recopied as an autodidact, the notes of the various solos of Frankie Carle, Joanne is made accompany by one of his/her friends to the Accordéon. It then will be accepted with the Los Angeles Conservatory off Music. But, this teaching to either will not be him very advantageous. The courses appear tedious and one does nothing but there speak about music without practicing. Joanne forsakes its courses, but is impassioned for the Sessions jams which take place in certain cabarets with Los Angeles.

New York

Whereas Joanne is only 20 years old, at the time of one of these Session jam S , where it takes part with no one other that Dexter Gordon, and Harold Land; it also will meet Charles Lord, Billy Higgins and Bobby Hutcherson. That sounds the beginning of its career as a pianist. In addition, in the Sixties, it will also meet her husband-to-be: the saxophonist Charles Brackeen. They will marry and to have four children. But, contrary to much of women of the time, Joanne its career for as much did not stop. It is towards 1964-1965 that the Brackeen couple moves for New York. The same year, Joanne plays of the Orgue in company of the vibraphonist Freddie McCoy. Its talent then will be known high spères jazz. Thus, in 1969, she plays with Dave Liebman and Woodie Shaw. The following years (of 1970 to 1972), it will work with the Jazz Messengers led by Art Blakey. A three years period (of 1972 to 1975), hanging follows then which Joanne accompanies the saxophonist Joe Henderson. Then, from 1976 to 1977 it goes to accompany Stan Getz, Joe Farrel and Sony Stitt.

Its first group

Since the middle of the Seventies, Joanne occurs under proper name with its group. All the ways are explored:

in Duet with Clint Houston or Red Mitchell,
in Trio, with inter alia Eddie Gum, Cecil McBee or Jack DeJohnette,
or in Quintette with Terence Blanchard, Branford Marsalis, Cecil McBee and Al Foster.

Teaching

Since its representations Solos with the Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center, the State Department with financed the European rounds of Joanne Brackeen. Its talent becomes known then whole world. One then will propose to him to teach as a member of the faculty of the New School off New York city. In addition, the post of teacher to also will be him proposed with the Berklee College off Boston. It also will present a television program: “Joanne brackeen present Jazz”.

The composition

Many formations require of Joanne to carry out compositions. Among those one can count institutions such as the Rutgers University or the Dickinson College. But, Joanne also composes for four-bit bytes or quintets with cords.

Discography

Leader

2000 : Popsicle illusion (Arkadia jazz)
2000: Aft (Timeless Holland)
1999: Pink elephant magic (Arkadia jazz)
1996: Invitation (Black lion)
1995: Turn around (Obviousness)
1994: Take has chance (Concord records)
1991: Where legend dwell (Direct artist)
1991: Breath off Brazil (Concord records)
1990: Live At Maybeck recital hall (Concord records)
1990: Having fun (Concord records)
1990: Fi-fi goes to heaven (Concord records)
2000: New true illusion (Timeless Holland)
1995: Power talk (Turnipseed)
1996: Six ate (Candid records)
1981: Special identity (direct Artist)
1979: Keyed in (Tappan zee)
19?? : Is it really true (Konnex)

Accompanying

2005 : Live At the Town hall NYC (1201 music)
1996: Live in Budapest Tony Lakatos (Laïka records)

External bonds

http://joannebrackeenjazz.com/
http://www.view.com/brackeen-bio.html

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