Jazz Pioneer Dave Brubeck Dies at 91

AP

Tomorrow would have been his 92nd birthday and ironically he was on his way to a cardiology appointment when he had a massive heart attack. 

The keyboardist was best known for his wonderful instrumental, “Take Five,” cut with the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1959. The song's snaking rhythms and signature sax line, performed by the song's composer, Paul Desmond, propelled the album “Time Out” to sell more than 1 million copies.  If you asked me to recommend a Jazz song to help you into the genre, this would definitely be in the top ten.


In 1996, Brubeck won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys. In 2009, he became a Kennedy Center Honors recipient.  Despite his age, Brubeck continuing performing until last year.  The Dave Brubeck Quartet release as many a four (!!) albums a year in their prime.

He told one reporter he considered himself “a composer who plays the piano.” Over his long career, he wrote two ballets, a musical, an oratorio, four cantatas and a Mass, as well as his many jazz pieces.

“For as long as I've been playing jazz, people have been trying to pigeonhole me," he remarked in an interview. "Frankly, labels bore me."  You have to love that kind of attitude! 
 
Dave Brubeck is survived by his wife, Iola, five sons, a daughter, several grandsons and a great-granddaughter.

Go check out the song "Take Five", please.  Do yourself a favor.  Rest in Peace Mr. Brubeck.

Source: NY Daily News