Mid-Week Song: Outtakes

In 1959, the Dave Brubeck Quartet released what would become the most-played and popular jazz single of all time, "Take Five."  With Brubeck on piano, Paul Desmond on alto sax, Joe Morello on drums, and Eugene Wright on bass, the quartet produced a recording that received widespread play not only on radio, but in television and movie soundtracks for years to come. So significant was it's impact that "Take Five" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996. Now, decades later, the outtakes from that recording session are being released on December 4 in a new album, "Time OutTakes" in celebration of what would have been Brubeck's 100th birthday.  The previously unreleased outtake of "Take Five" is notable for it's more free-form jazz style, with both Desmond and Morello delivering memorable solos that didn't appear in the 1959 single. Morello's drum solo in particular is eye-opening for those who think that rock drummers like Ginger Baker or John Bonham invented complex arhythmic drumming. Here's the previously unreleased version of "Take Five."

Weekend Music Rondo

The Dave Brubeck Quartet's vanguard 1959 album "Time Out" defined "West Coast cool jazz" and was a study in unusual time signatures. "Blue Rondo à la Turk" is no exception to that and, along with "Take Five" from the same album, has become a jazz classic. Hope you enjoy (h/t Silver Spring Bureau Chief and blog musical concierge Brian):

Mid-Week Unsquare Song

Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck was a leader in the "cool jazz" movement beginning in the late 1940s, along with Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Quartet. Perhaps best known for his classic "Take Five," Brubeck's compositions featured unusual time signatures and contrasting rhythms. Our song today is written in 7/4 time and has clapping hands providing percussion. If it's somewhat familiar to you, it may be because it was featured in the Oscar-winning film "Silver Linings Playbook." Enjoy.

Mid-Week Twofer Songs

Pianist Dave Brubeck was one of jazz music's biggest stars from the early 1950s to the 1990s.  His quartet included jazz icons Paul Desmond on sax, Joe Morello on drums and the quartet's only surviving member, Eugene Wright, on bass.  Here's "Three To Get Ready" from his quartet's groundbreaking 1959 album, "Time Out."



Sadly, R & B singer Percy Sledge died yesterday at age 74.  His 1966 number 1 hit, "When A Man Loves A Woman," was covered by many other singers, including Michael Bolton, who won a Grammy for his version.  R.I.P.

A Jazz Icon Passes

Jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck died today at the age of 91, one day before his 92nd birthday. Leader of the famous Dave Brubeck Quartet, he was one of the most popular jazz musicians of the 20th century, winning the National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center honors, and Grammy Lifetime Achievement award. Here's a song from his best selling "Time Out" album. RIP.

Mid-Week Song

The Dave Brubeck Quartet was the most popular jazz group of the 1950s and 1960s. Their 1959 hit, "Take Five," is one of the best known contemporary jazz tunes, having sold over 1 million copies. The quartet's drummer Joe Morello, who died last week, was considered one of the best in jazz. His fluid drum solo begins at 2:50.