Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

United States of America

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

The Dave Brubeck Quartet was a renowned American jazz ensemble that was active from 1951 to 1967. The quartet was founded by pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, who was joined by saxophonist Paul Desmond, bassist Eugene Wright, and drummer Joe Morello. The quartet's unique sound and innovative approach to jazz made them one of the most popular and influential ensembles of their time. Dave Brubeck was born in Concord, California in 1920. He began playing piano at a young age and went on to study music at the College of the Pacific in Stockton, California. After serving in World War II, Brubeck formed his own trio and began performing in clubs and on radio programs. In 1951, he formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet with Paul Desmond, Eugene Wright, and Joe Morello. Paul Desmond was born in San Francisco in 1924. He began playing saxophone in high school and went on to study music at San Francisco State University. Desmond's smooth, lyrical style was a perfect complement to Brubeck's complex, rhythmic piano playing. The two musicians developed a close musical partnership that would last for many years. Eugene Wright was born in Chicago in 1923. He began playing bass in high school and went on to study music at Roosevelt University. Wright joined the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1958, replacing the original bassist, Ron Crotty. Wright's solid, driving bass lines were a key element of the quartet's sound. Joe Morello was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1928. He began playing drums at a young age and went on to study music at the Boston Conservatory. Morello joined the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1956, replacing the original drummer, Joe Dodge. Morello's technical skill and innovative approach to drumming helped to push the quartet's music to new heights. The Dave Brubeck Quartet's music was characterized by its use of unusual time signatures and complex rhythms. Brubeck's compositions often featured odd meters such as 5/4, 7/4, and 9/8, which gave the music a distinctive, off-kilter feel. The quartet's music was also notable for its use of counterpoint, with each member of the ensemble playing a distinct melody or rhythm that interlocked with the others. The quartet's breakthrough came in 1959 with the release of their album "Time Out." The album featured the hit single "Take Five," which was written by Paul Desmond and became one of the most popular jazz songs of all time. "Take Five" was notable for its use of a 5/4 time signature, which was highly unusual for a pop song at the time. The success of "Time Out" made the Dave Brubeck Quartet one of the most popular jazz ensembles in the world. The quartet went on to release a number of other successful albums, including "Time Further Out" (1961), "Countdown: Time in Outer Space" (1962), and "Jazz Impressions of Japan" (1964). The quartet also performed extensively, touring the United States and Europe and playing at major jazz festivals such as the Newport Jazz Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival. In addition to their commercial success, the Dave Brubeck Quartet was also recognized for their artistic achievements. The quartet was nominated for several Grammy Awards, winning one in 1960 for Best Jazz Performance, Group. They were also awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. The Dave Brubeck Quartet disbanded in 1967, with each member going on to pursue solo careers. Dave Brubeck continued to perform and record music until his death in 2012.

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