Jan. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Michael Brecker, a Grammy Award- winning jazz saxophonist considered to be one of the most influential of the past 25 years, died today at 57 of cancer, the Associated Press reported.

Brecker died in a hospital in New York City of myelodysplastic syndrome, a form of cancer in which the bone marrow stops making healthy blood cells, the wire service said, citing his manager Darryl Pitt.

The Philadelphia native had performed with many notable pop and jazz artists ranging from Joni Mitchell to Herbie Hancock, AP said. He began his solo career in 1987 with a self-titled debut recording that was chosen as Jazz Album of the Year in Down Beat magazine, AP said.

His illness forced him to stop playing music at times and ``allowed him to be a conduit to attract attention for a cause that's much larger than me'' as he sought bone marrow donors, AP said. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his children, Jessica and Sam; a brother and a sister, AP said.

(Associated Press 1-13)

To contact the reporter on this story: Patrick Cole in New York at pcole3@Bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: January 13, 2007 20:22 EST