Two For Tuesday: Zachary Breaux

Two for Tuesday 1 Minute

Believe it or not, I found a Smooth Jazz artist whose name fits both the letter of the day (Z) for the A to Z Chalenge as well as my theme (words containing an X).

Zachary Breaux was a jazz guitarist who was influenced by George Benson and Wes Montgomery. As a sideman, he worked with jazz greats such as Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff and others. As a solo artist, he recorded three albums before his untimely death at 36 in 1997.

Zachary recorded “Comin’ Home Baby,” a jazz standard by Ben Tucker, live for his 1992 album Groovin’, recorded live at Ronnie Scott’s club in New York.

“Café Reggio” is a song written by Isaac Hayes’s soundtrack for the 1971 film Shaft. Zachary recorded this for his last album, 1997’s Uptown Groove.

Zachary was in Miami Beach on vacation with his family in February 1997 when he tried to save a woman caught in the riptide. He himself was caught in the riptide and suffered a fatal heart attack. The woman he tried to save also died.

Zachary Breaux, your Two for Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

Published by John Holton

Internet disc jockey, lover of old TV (especially the commercials), inveterate wise guy.

Published

21 thoughts on “Two For Tuesday: Zachary Breaux”

  2. This guy is good!
    I always liked jazz, but never really thought about “smooth” jazz until I watched Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee. This kind of music is always in the background when they’re not talking. Now I sometimes play it as I get ready in the morning. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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    1. A lot of smooth jazz artists have some serious jazz chops, and a few jazz artists have crossed over and are doing more funk and pop. Many of them were early smooth jazz artists (e.g. Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Ramsey Lewis etc.). Way I see it, it’s all good.

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  4. Of course, not my favourite kind of music but he was a stellar human being and what a shame he died so young along with the woman.

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  7. That is so sad! I find X really tricky, and also I, as there are no children’s poets over here beginning with that letter! We’ve reached the end! It’s quite sad.

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  9. How perfect to end the challenge with an introduction. Zachary Breaux is definitely going on my play list.

    Congrats on a fun challenge series. And thanks for all the work and support you’ve put into the challenge as part of the team – it’s been another great year!

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