Sorry to bring you the sad news. This morning, the great jazz musician Dave Brubeck died in Connecticut, just a day short of his 92nd birthday. He’s, of course, best remembered for his jazz standard “Take Five,” recorded and performed first in 1959. Below, you can watch a vintage performance from the Jazz Casual TV show in 1961.
Above, we’re bringing you a reprise of our favorite moment with Brubeck. The footage you’re watching was recorded in December 1997, when the pianist paid a visit to the Moscow Conservatory. During his concert, an audience member asked him to improvise on the old Russian sea shanty “Ej, Uhnem.” About two minutes into the improvisation, a young violinist rose from his seat and started to play along. You just have to love Dave’s surprised look at 2:09. The young man turned out to be a student at the conservatory. His name is Denis Kolobov and he is now a violinist of international renown. We will sorely miss you Dave….
Material for this post was contributed by @MatthiasRascher
Heartwarming! Thanks for sharing. :)
Paul Desmond wrote “Take Five”…
I think the interpreter requested the theme of Moscow Nights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw5L0IdKjps)