Obituary – Dave Brubeck is dead

Today one of the most popular white jazz composers, Grammy winner, and much appreciated pianist Dave Brubeck passed away just one day shy of his 92nd birthday.

His hit “Take Five” (1959) made him famous and set standards for a lot of westcoast jazz to come within the next 10 years, even though the tune became a hit only in 1961 when issued as a 7″. Born in Concord, CA, Brubeck originally intended to become a cattleman like his father.

Brubeck was a WWII veteran who served in Europe. On his discharge he formed a sting of bands, until in 1951 when he founded the legendary Dave Brubeck Quartet, featuring sax man Paul Desmond,  Joe Morello on drums and bass man Eugene Wright.

His album “Time Out” (1959) was the first jazz record to sell more than one million copies worldwide.

Posted by Dr. A. Ebert