December 5, 2012

Take Five, Dave

1966 in Germany

Dave Brubeck (1920-2012) - piano
Paul Desmond - alto sax
Eugene Wright - bass
Joe Morello - drums

"After graduating in 1942, Brubeck was drafted into the army and served overseas in George Patton's Third Army.

He was spared from service in the Battle of the Bulge when he volunteered to play piano at a Red Cross show; he was such a hit he was ordered to form a band. Thus he created one of the US armed forces' first racially integrated bands, "The Wolfpack".... Brubeck believed what he saw during World War II contradicted the Ten Commandments, and the war evoked a spiritual awakening. He became a Catholic in 1980, shortly after completing the Mass To Hope ."
A fragment of To Hope after the jump....

December 2, 1997 Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. Fragment from "To Hope! A Celebration" mass with the Russian National orchestra. Star jazz musicians with Dave Brubeck in Moscow include Bobby Militello on sax, Jack Six on bass and drummer Randy Jones. Conducted by Russell Gloyd. Soloists are soprano Maria Maskhulia, tenor Mark Bleeke and bass-baritone Kevin Deas. Yurlov Russian State Academic Choir.

Posted by gerardvanderleun at December 5, 2012 9:19 AM
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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

Mr. Vanderleun, There will be no sneaking out early to see the band. Your chores are not completed. I thank you, in advance, for your co-operation in this matter. Have a blessed Advent.

Posted by: Roger Drew Williams at December 5, 2012 11:35 AM

I second that.

Posted by: Jewel at December 5, 2012 11:59 AM

If you want a different rendition of this classic, an actually pretty good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLF46JKkCNg

Recorded at Sachal Studios, Lahore, Pakistan - the premiere of Take Five's Official Video!

Posted by: Fat Man at December 5, 2012 12:15 PM

What can I say? Brubeck was my Elvis. I discovered him an high school, right at the end of my punk rock career, and I never was the same again. Never went back to rock music, either.

He was a good Catholic and, by all accounts, a great guy. I never met him, sadly.

Fun Fact: Brubeck is also name-checked in the Best Music Video of All Time.

Posted by: B Lewis at December 5, 2012 10:55 PM

Thirded.

We'll have the chance to see them live again. They'll wait.

Posted by: pdwalker at December 6, 2012 8:17 AM