Jazz composer, pianist Dave Brubeck dies

[gunslingingbird]

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Jazz composer and pianist Dave Brubeck, whose pioneering style in pieces such as "Take Five" caught listeners' ears with exotic, challenging rhythms, has died. He was 91.

Brubeck died Wednesday morning at Norwalk Hospital of heart failure after being stricken while on his way to a cardiology appointment with his son Darius, said his manager Russell Gloyd. Brubeck would have turned 92 on Thursday.

Brubeck had a career that spanned almost all American jazz since World War II. He formed The Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1951 and was the first modern jazz musician to be pictured on the cover of Time magazine — on Nov. 8, 1954 — and he helped define the swinging, smoky rhythms of 1950s and '60s club jazz.

He was an innovator, and a great pianist. Jazz, and music in general, lost a bright star today.

Swing in peace, Dave. :hatsoff:

Article

 

[lurkingdirk]

Jazz Great Dave Brubeck dies at age 91

This many will be sorely missed. For his music, and for the all the things he fought for. What an amazing man, what an amazing career, and what an amazing contribution to society he made.

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/05/jazz-great-dave-brubeck-dies-at-91/?hpt=hp_t3

Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, 91, died Wednesday from heart failure, his manager, Russell Gloyd, told CNN.

Brubeck's heart stopped while he was en route to the hospital with his eldest son for a regular checkup, Gloyd said. His son became alarmed about his father and called 911, Gloyd said.

"(Paramedics) came out and said, 'We just can't keep the heart going,' " Gloyd told CNN.

Gloyd, who also was a producer with Brubeck, said the musician was rushed to Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Connecticut, where he was declared dead.

According to his website, Brubeck was born into a musical family in Concord, California, and had two older brothers who were also professional musicians. As a teen, he began playing in local dance bands after his family moved to a cattle ranch in the foothills of the Sierra mountains.

Intent on pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, Brubeck worked his way through college as a pianist in jazz bands. He soon switched his major to music and went on to pursue a career, releasing music as part of the Dave Brubeck Trio in 1949. He formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1951 following a near fatal car crash.

Songs such as "Blue Rondo a la Turk" and "Take Five" helped the jazz artist find crossover success in the pop world.

Designated a "living legend" by the Library of Congress, Brubeck was still actively pursuing his career in music. Gloyd said the pianist continued to practice every day and was contemplating recording a new song.

But his longtime manager/publicist said he and the musician's family hope that Brubeck is also remembered for his political activism.

"I don’t think people realize his commitment to civil rights and justice," Gloyd said. "At the height of his stardom, he canceled 23 out of 24 concerts in the South at Southern universities when they would not allow him to bring his black bass player."

President of The Recording Academy Neil Portnow called Brubeck an "iconic jazz and classical pianist."

"Throughout his six decade-long career, his unique time signatures and distinct rhythms were highlights of his innovative style," Portnow continued. "As one of the prime architects of the sophisticated West Coast jazz sound, Brubeck showed that jazz could be artistically challenging yet accessible to large audiences. His recordings have received both commercial and critical success, and will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come. We have lost a great legend in our community, and our thoughts and condolences go to his family, friends and all those he inspired."

Brubeck would have celebrated his 92nd birthday on Thursday.

 

[lurkingdirk]

Beat you to it.

 

[luis1972]

r.i.p.

 

[gunslingingbird]

Beat you to it.

The only thing you beat was your meat. Even the system recognizes that my post came first, hence the order when I merged the threads. :tongue:

 

[lurkingdirk]

The only thing you beat was your meat. Even the system recognizes that my post came first, hence the order when I merged the threads. :tongue:

Except my post was first.

It is okay, though. Due to your tiny penis, you're welcome to manipulate this however you'd like.

 

[ApolloBalboa]

I never knew who he was when I was younger, but I remember that I loved listening to his music. One of the few memories I have of my grandpa before he got sick is going over to his apartment, him putting on Brubeck Plays Brubeck or Jazz at Oberlin and saying "Listen to this and you'll grow up to be a man who appreciates things". He'd hold the album cover up in front of me while I'd be on his lap and try to see if I could say any of the names printed. I haven't listened to him in a long time, but I have nothing but great fondness for him and the music that allowed me to broaden my horizons and experience much, even at a tender young age.

 

[Sam Fisher]

Dave.... Take Five.

 

[STDiva]

He won't be Bach.

 

[STDiva]

Are you sure someone's not just Haydn his body?

 

[JasonCook78]

R.I.P.

Are you sure someone's not just Haydn his body?

He won't be Bach.

Ha ha ha, that's hysterical.

 

[bluetrain]

Dave.... Take Five.

Zactly.....luv his tunes...been listening since all day since I heard....

 

[lurkingdirk]

Here's a real gem.
One of the things that I respected about this guy so much is that even though is is so much the star, he just gets out of the way, and lets the other folks have their solos. He's not afraid to repeat himself a lot to give the focus away. That, my friends, is the sign of a good, secure musician.

 

[John_8581]

So very sad. :crying:

RIP Dave Brubeck -- :angels:

Now he can play with Paul Desmond, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Gene Kupa, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Artie Shaw, and Louis Armstrong in the Big Show in the Sky!!

 

[gunslingingbird]

Now he can play with Paul Desmond, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Gene Kupa, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Artie Shaw, and Louis Armstrong in the Big Show in the Sky!!

You forgot Charles Mingus. You need a bad ass bassist to have a bad ass show.

 

[John_8581]

You forgot Charles Mingus. You need a bad ass bassist to have a bad ass show.

:thumbsup:

 

[Rey C.]

R.I.P., Dave Brubeck. :angels:

 

[Sam Fisher]

Something about vinyl that makes it so pure....

 

[saschaxx]

One of the best ever died, ...R. I. P. Dave.