Michael Brecker: Steps Ahead In Europe

One of the most popular jazz bands of the early Eighties, Steps Ahead (originally called Steps) was formed in 1979 by vibist Mike Mainieri, and at various times included tenorman Michael Brecker, keyboardists Don Grolnick and Eliane Elias, bassists Eddie Gomez and Darryl Jones and drummers Peter Erskine and Steve Smith, among many other first-rate artists. Steps Ahead's music successfully blended elements of jazz, rock, R&B and fusion, enjoying astonishing worldwide international success in the process.

Recorded in April 1983 at Copenhagen's Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, a world-famous sculpture museum holding works of Rodin, Thorvaldsen and countless Roman sculptures, this concert features one of the Steps Ahead's most celebrated lineups: under the direction of vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, tenorman Michael Brecker displays his virtuoso solo improvisations alongside Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias, then eighteen years old and on her first professional tour as a musicians, bassist Eddie Gomez, a widely respected performer perhaps best known for his long tenure with piano legend Bill Evans, plus drummer Peter Erskine, a longtime member of the immensely popular Weather Report. Making use of a repertoire entirely consisting of originals, Steps Ahead display their very personal, appealing sound in the unique, inspiring surroundings of the Danish sculpture gardens.