“Brucher the Cooker” was written for my good friend and exceptional drummer, Michael Brucher. When I composed it in 2022, I had only known Michael for about a year, but we had already played together enough for me to develop a strong understanding of his playing style. He was subbing as a drummer for Red Shift, so whenever he was on a gig, we played this tune.
The piece follows a standard AABA form and draws inspiration from the hard bop era, with clear nods to the rhythmic drive of Art Blakey. The figures are highly rhythmic and leave space for interaction and improvisation.
