Joanne Brackeen (born Joanne Grogan; July 26, 1938) is an American jazz pianist and music educator.
Music career Brackeen was born in Ventura, California, United States, and attended the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. She was a fan of pop pianist Frankie Carle before she became enamored of the music of Charlie Parker. In the 1950s she performed with Dexter Gordon, Teddy Edwards, and Charles Brackeen. She and Brackeen married and moved to New York City in 1965. She performed with Chick Corea, Freddie McCoy, and Ornette Coleman. She was also the only woman hired to perform with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.
She played with Joe Henderson (1972–75) and Stan Getz (1975–77) before leading her own trio and quartet. She established herself as a cutting-edge pianist and composer through her appearances around the world, and her solo performances also established her reputation as an innovative and dynamic pianist. Her trios have featured noted players such as Clint Houston, Eddie Gómez, John Patitucci, Jack DeJohnette, Cecil McBee and Billy Hart.
She served on the grant panel for the National Endowment for the Arts, toured the Middle East with the US State Department as sponsor, and had solo performances at Carnegie Hall.
She has recorded over 20 albums as a lead musician. She is a professor at the Berklee College of Music and at The New School.
Awards 2018 NEA Jazz Masters
Discography As leader Year recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes1975SnoozeChoiceTrio, with Cecil McBee (bass), Billy Hart (drums); also released as Six Ate by Candid1976InvitationFreedomTrio, with Clint Houston (bass), Billy Hart (drums)1976New True IllusionTimelessDuo, with Clint Houston (bass)1977Tring-a-LingChoiceSome tracks trio, with Clint Houston (bass), Billy Hart (drums); some tracks quartet, with Michael Brecker (tenor sax), Cecil McBee (bass), Hart (drums)1977AFTTimelessTrio, with Ryo Kawasaki (guitar), Clint Houston (bass)1978Trinkets and ThingsTimelessDuo, with Ryo Kawasaki (guitar)1978PrismChoiceDuo, with Eddie Gómez (bass)1978Mythical MagicMPSSolo piano1979Keyed InTappan Zee/ColumbiaTrio, with Eddie Gómez (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)1980Ancient DynastyTappan Zee/ColumbiaQuartet, with Joe Henderson (tenor sax), Eddie Gómez (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)1981Special IdentityAntillesTrio, with Eddie Gómez (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)1985Havin' FunConcord JazzTrio, with Cecil McBee (bass), Al Foster (drums)1986Fi-Fi Goes to HeavenConcord JazzWith Terence Blanchard (trumpet), Branford Marsalis (alto sax, soprano sax), Cecil McBee (bass), Al Foster (drums)1989Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume 1Concord JazzSolo piano1991Breath of BrazilConcord JazzQuartet, with Eddie Gómez (bass), Duduka da Fonseca (drums), Waltinho Anastácio (percussion)1991Is It Really TrueKonnexTrio, with Walter Schmocker (bass), Billy Hart (drums)1991Where Legends DwellKenTrio, with Eddie Gómez (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)1992TurnaroundEvidenceQuartet, with Donald Harrison (alto sax), Cecil McBee (bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums)1993Take a ChanceConcord JazzQuartet, with Eddie Gómez (bass), Duduka da Fonseca (drums), Waltinho Anastácio (percussion, vocals)1994Power TalkTurnipseedTrio, with Ira Coleman (bass), Tony Reedus (drums); in concert1999Pink Elephant MagicArkadia JazzOne track solo piano; some tracks trio, with John Patitucci (bass), Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (drums); some tracks quartet, with Chris Potter (soprano sax) added; some tracks quintet, with Nicholas Payton (trumpet) added; one track sextet, with Jamey Haddad (percussion) added; one track quartet with Patitucci (bass), Hernandez (drums), Dave Liebman (soprano sax); one track quintet with Kurt Elling (vocals) added2000Popsicle IllusionArkadia JazzSolo piano
As sideperson With Arkadia Jazz All Stars Thank You, Duke! With Art Blakey Jazz Messengers '70 (Catalyst, 1970) With Toots Thielemans Captured Alive (Choice/Candid, 1974) With Stan Getz Getz/Gilberto '76 (Resonance, 1976 ) with João Gilberto Live at Montmartre (SteepleChase, 1977) With Bob James All Around The Town (Tappan Zee/Columbia, 1981) With Freddie McCoy Funk Drops (Prestige, 1966) Peas 'n' Rice (Prestige, 1967) Beans & Greens (Prestige, 1967) Soul Yogi (Prestige, 1968) With Makanda Ken McIntyre A New Beginning (Passin' Thru, 2001) With Buddy Terry Pure Dynamite (Mainstream, 1972) With Freddie Hubbard Sweet Return (Atlantic, 1983)
References
External links Official site Joanne Brackeen on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz on NPR Berklee School of Music profile "A Woman of Many Hats", interview