A Legend Passes

Dave Brubeck, one of the great jazz musicians of our time, died last Wednesday at the age of 92. Most musicians and non-musicians alike knew him for his wildly popular "Take Five" which was an unassuming, but complex mainstream jazz tune. He was an innovator and a classicist at the same time. 

He was a native of Northern California (Concord), and grew up playing music in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada where his Dad owned a ranch. He almost followed that line of work himself, but the pull of music kept him from it.

I love his music, and also loved hearing about his life and philosophy about people and music. He was one of the rare people who supported black musicians completely, even during the turmoil of the civil rights movement in the 60's. He refused to have his band stay in hotels that refused to accept "colored" people.

I've had a few opportunities to see and briefly meet a few major jazz musicians, like Woody Herman. I didn't meet Brubeck, but I spent the better part of a day with his drummer, Joe Morello once when I was in college. It was a great opportunity, and he spoke some of Brubeck, and the great man that he was.

Well, we all pass on sometime, and I think Dave had a good life. You might want to listen to some of his music at: http://www.davebrubeck.com/live/. Click on Listen.