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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, Charles(b 13 March '40, Eufaula OK) Reeds, composer. He also played piano and violin; went to West Coast '56, NYC '66. He played on Don Cherry's Relativity Suite '73, on bassist William Parker's Through Acceptance Of The Mystery Peace '74 on a Centering label, and at the Wildflowers Festival (see Jazz), on Paul Motian's trio Dance '77 and with Ronald Shannon Jackson's Decoding Society '80-- 81. His only album as leader was Rhythm X '73 on Strata-East, with Cherry, Charlie Haden and Ed Blackwell; he played tenor and alto. He was married to pianist Joanne Brackeen for a time, then apparently left music and went to work on the railroad in Texas, where he was sought out by trumpeter Dennis Gonzalez and Silkheart label owner Keith Knox: Bannar '87 has Brackeen on tenor and soprano, with Gonzalez, Malachi Favors on bass and drummer Alvin Fielder (b 23 Nov. '35, Meridian MS; studied with Blackwell, played with Sun Ra, was a member of the AACM and is also a pharmacist). Worshippers Come Nigh '87 and Attainment were both released '89, with Olu Dara on cornet, Fred Hopkins on bass, Andrew Cyrille on drums. Brackeen's return to the scene was eclectic and full of regional influences, with a folkish feel and much beauty. Full marks to a valuable independent label. |