Live at the Baked Potato • The Music of Michael Brecker – Charged Particles with Tod Dickow

Heartfelt tribute to iconic saxophonist Michael Brecker is staggering in its authenticity and collective desire by the participants to get it right!

Randy Brecker: “Smoking and intense from beginning to end, Charged Particles and Tod Dickow have internalized Mike and his music to an impressive degree of accuracy and moreover: feeling! I found myself pinching my arm to remind myself that Mike is sadly no longer with us. Take the journey and check out this live recording. Everyone is at the top of their Mike game!”

Based in the San Francisco area and soon celebrating their 30th anniversary, Charged Particles crosses stylistic boundaries and blends multiple traditions to create multifaceted jazz. The band has been critically acclaimed for their passionate performances…reviewers have said things like: “An electrifying, push-the-limits performance style… A tight and enormously talented trio” (Jazz Times Magazine)…The band is full-steam ahead on this recording – looking back only to harness Michael Brecker’s electrifying-legendary energy!

Tenor saxophonist Tod Dickow began playing gigs in the Bay Area with small groups and big bands, and he is a powerful voice on the Bay Area scene today. His playing has been recognized by outstanding soloist awards at Jazz Festivals (Pacific Coast) and was awarded the Outstanding Soloist award by Down Beat Magazine. He has appeared with numerous celebrated artists in many genres of music. In addition to leading his own small groups, he has led the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, a 16-piece big band, featuring top players from around the Bay Area. As is true for so many other jazz tenor players, Tod’s playing and composing are powerfully influenced by Michael Brecker. But Tod is unique in having captured the essence of Michael’s spirit on the instrument, making Tod the perfect artist to perform Michael’s compositions with Charged Particles to honor the late-great superstar.

REVIEW:

“What a wonderful surprise this record is…a simply masterful job…Great music.”

-Modern Drummer

REVIEW:

“Staggering in its authenticity … the sheer force of Tod Dickow’s lines lift the entire band, while his passionate intensity and Breckerian authority immediately command our attention.  Truly, he is a talent worthy of wider recognition.”

-Bill Milkowski, author of “Ode to a Tenor Titan”, ​the biography of Michael Brecker
 

REVIEW:

“Tod Dickow has captured the magic and brilliance of Brecker and saturates the group with power and purpose.  All three rhythm section members bring excitement and creativity to the bandstand.  This is a joyful listen, full of spark and spunk, but also incorporating the creativity and integrity of these four master musicians.”

-LA Jazz Scene
 

REVIEW:

“This is a highly energetic date, enjoyable both on its own merits and for the opportunity for listeners to revisit Michael Brecker’s glorious catalog.”
 
-Glide Magazine

REVIEW:

“Modern grooves and sizzling post bop as the Brecker torch burned brightly.  Dickow’s tenor is intense.”
 
-Jazz Weekly
 

REVIEW:

“It’s just brilliant.  They captured the spirit of Michael without question.  Aaron laying down some tight grooves.  Murray always great, in any setting.  Jon’s drumming described in the liner notes as “simmering” – I can’t say it any better than that.  And Tod’s tenor playing respectfully honors Mr. Brecker’s compositions.  Just an outstanding job by all, super tight, beautifully done.  Bravo!”
 
Bradley Stone, Programmer of The Creative Source

​REVIEW:

“Dickow and the band dig into the tunes with gusto.  All four musicians revel in the music, supporting and clearly enjoying one another.  Dickow is all over the horn in fine form.  Outstanding playing – enticing, enjoyable contemporary jazz.”
 
Something else!