The great jazz pianist Dave Brubeck has passed away. Thats one hell of an ensemble up there now. Thanks for the music Dave RIP
An old boss of mine really laid into him for having a hit record from a musical warm-up excercise (Take Five) RIP Dave
I enjoy listening to take five, my old boss, however, is a former professional musician, and felt that Brubeck had sold out for fame and money!
Brubeck was successful, a million album sales for jazz records, which no-one, not even Duke Ellington was achieving. Some of his peers considered him progressive. I guess to some people that made him a "sell out". I'm afraid it means that his music was appealing to the masses which some people didn't want. They wanted Jazz exclusive.
I have never been a great fan of Jazz but 'Take 5' is pure musical seduction! Many a time in my younger days did I play that tune when alone with a lady! Dave you got me laid many times! Bless you and RIP.
Brubeck was the first to set 5/4 time in a 'swinging' rhythm that's why it was called Take 5. For that to become a hit record was a real surprise. A nice human being as well. Good to see we have some Jazz fans on the site.
Sorry but that is rubbish. Brubeck was experimenting with time signatures not trying to write pop songs. He never compromised his music. That just sounds like inverted snobbery. Just because something is popular does not make it bad.
You could level the same thing at Stan Getz, until he linked up with João Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim and gave the Brazilian 'bossa nova' style a whirl, he was just another jazz saxophonist struggling for money and success. The girl from Ipanema changed things for him forever
Spurf and Cromer, that wasn't my criticism, that was the opinion of my old boss! I think Spurf nailed it, as I recall, my old boss was a snob with "Little Man" syndrome!
I will always love Aka Bilk's Strangers on the shore. Everytime I hear it the beautiful melody always brings a tear to my eye! That is what is so wonderful about music in all it's different glory.
Funnily enough, that now makes me angry! It should have made Acker millions, but in fact, made him very little because it was stolen from him by his manager, who was also his brother! Cracking piece of music though!
Alas I spent far too much time as a child playing my mum & dad's records on their old radiogram! Marty Robins was another big favourite of mine! Down in the west Texas town of El Paso... But my big favourite back then was Gentleman Jim Reeves.
My biggest regret from the break-up of my first marriage is she got to keep all my records! I had every single record, not just singles but everything by Jim Reeves that was ever available on vinyl, I had!
Getz is one my all time favourite saxophonists but a different kettle of fish to Brubeck. He was introduced to Bossa-Nova by Charlie Byrd but Byrd had to fight a legal battle to get his fair share of the royalties from Getz who tried to take it all for himself.
Spurf, have you heard any of the stuff by the Marsallis brothers? Wynton on trumpet is awesome, he also does many other genres, but his brother on sax, is purely jazz. Both awesome musicians
You clearly know your stuff Maestro and I salute you on your knowledge of Jazz! It must be one of your real passions and to be honest I have always admired those that can play an instrument.
