Year 5
❤️ Cycle B ❤️
Genre: Popular Music
Style: Jazz
Composers:
Dave Brubeck Quartet
Artists:
Duke Ellington
Ella Fitzgerald
Paul Desmond (saxophone) – he wrote ‘Take 5’
Joe Morello (drums)
Eugene Wright (double bass)
Dave Brubeck (piano)
Dave Brubeck’s work is characterized by unusual time signatures and contrasting rhythms, combining different styles and genres, like classic, jazz, and blues.
Born in California, USA in 1920, Brubeck was drafted into the US Army, but was spared from combat service when a concert he had played at became a hit. Within the US Army, Brubeck formed one of the first racially diverse bands.
In 1951, he formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet and in 1959, ‘Take Five’ (a tune written by Paul Desmond in 54 time) became the highest-selling jazz song of all time from the album ‘Time Out’.
This was written but alto saxophone player, Paul Desmond, in 54 time.
Brubeck heard this unusual rhythm performed by Turkish musicians on the street. Upon asking the musicians where they got the rhythm, one replied “This rhythm is to us what the blues is to you.” Hence the title ‘Blue Rondo à la Turk.’ The time signature is mainly in 98 time with a one of the parts in in 44 time.
Many modern bands are influenced by jazz – the sound, the feel or sometimes just the instruments and techniques used.
❤️Why not explore another Jazz legend?❤️
Muse covered this classic jazz song in a rock style.
Lesson Resources: