|
Cover Story [Issue
#
15 ]
Dave Brubeck Quartet:
London Flat, London Sharp
By
Jason Sklar
london flat london sharp
(
CD Bepop )
 |
|
In 1958, Dave Brubeck
set off from London on his first tour of Europe. 47 years later he’s recorded
London Flat, London Sharp, his latest swinging quartet release on Telarc.
While Brubeck is
well known for his playing on Paul Desmond’s “Take Five” and
“Blue Rondo a la Turk” on the classic album, Time Out, off-meter playing
still pervades his music on this album with “Unisphere” in 10/4 time
signature and “Forty Days” in 5/4. In regard to the former, Brubeck
says, “The guys love to play on that.” As does he. Brubeck has become
a household name in jazz by incorporating polyrhythms and polytonality often
in the setting of atypical time signatures including 7/4 and 9/8.
But growing up, he was classically trained by his mother and studied music at
the College of the Pacific from 1938-42, served as a band leader in General
Patton’s Army during World War II, and resumed his studies in classical
music at Mills College. Brubeck assembled multiple groups following his tenure
as a student, including his favorite, the Dave Brubeck Octet. This group disbanded
following a near fatal swimming accident that injured Brubeck’s back.
Thankfully, he returned to jazz in 1951 when alto saxophonist Paul Desmond encouraged
Brubeck to form a quartet. Brubeck’s pounding chording and experimental
harmonies, juxtaposed with Desmond’s light West Coast cool sax sound, proved
to be a winning combination.
At age 85, Brubeck still plays with dashing wit and jubilant character. Joining
him are Bobby Militello on alto sax and flute, Michael Moore on double bass,
and Randy Jones on drums. While Militello has a rapturous style next to Desmond,
Brubeck proclaims, “All my groups have been great. This one is just as
great as any of them.”
london flat london sharp
Bepop
|
