Michael Leonard Brecker was a musician and composer, considered by many, one of the most appreciated and influential tenor saxophonist along with John Coltrane. Michael Brecker has played with several musicians, notable collaborations are with George Benson, Charles Mingus, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Chick Corea, Aerosmith, Pat Metheny, Frank Zappa, Chet Baker, Jaco Pastorius, McCoy Tyner, Dire Straits, Elvin Jones, Claus Ogerman, Steely Dan, Lou Reed, Donald Fagen, Frank Sinatra, Eric Clapton, Dan Fogelberg, Parliament-Funkadelic, Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell and many others. As a leader, his first work was "Michael Brecker", published in 1987. Together with his brother Randy, in 1975 Michael founded the "Brecker Brothers", the band stayed together with a good commercial success. Michael collaborated also with "Steps Ahead", from 1981 to 1986.