NEW YORK (AP) - Michael Brecker, a versatile and influential tenor saxophonist who won 11 Grammys over a career that spanned more than three decades, died Saturday. He was 57.

I've noticed more than a few very notable and talented people passing lately.
His works influenced many and he will be missed.
NLP

That's very sad. i'd seen an ad in the music press requesting funds to help him but hadn't realised how bad he actually was.
 
graeme

A truly original voice and a huge source of inspiration. A great loss to music.
 
(although the adds apparently scroll continuously, at the moment I clicked Dave's link I couldn't help noticing that right next to the article of the passing of such a hugely talented (and reportedly largely self-taught) musician, there was this advertisement for a method to master the bass fretboard in just one hour....)

I heard this on the radio yesterday (KCSM, a local jazz station). I liked Michael's playing, and have several of his recordings. Though I wasn't a huge fan, I will miss him.
 
It seems that in the same week, we have also lost Alice Coltrane.

Thanks Bob; I had not heard about Alice.
Here is a story on her.