He would have turned 92 tomorrow. So sad. I posted the Unsquare Dance video on fb earlier. I have a vague recollection of seeing that long ago on television. He was simply one of the most creative and talented artists in our lifetime. RIP.

Small quibble. Dave actually lived 92 years as of today, but that’s not important. His music got me through some mighty lonely times during the Korean War. And he was still great at 88.

. . . and Paul Desmond was a gentleman who could play the saxophone — and did!

Truly great art, compared to what passes for such these days.

I remember seeing Brubeck back in 1962 at Loew’s State in Providence, RI.

When they began playing “Take Five” on the hydraulic orchestra pit rising to thunderous applause.

A night that I’ll never forget…

My dad got me listening to Brubeck when I was real young, like under the age of 10. I think Brubeck was one of the most gifted musicians of the Twentieth Century – right in the top “Five”.

Dad and I were both big fans and once when we happened to be in Marin County we drove past his home. Dad passed twenty years ago, and I inherited all of those Dave Brubeck albums which I keep just because…well….because. Over the years, most of the music was re-purchased in cassette, then CD.

One of the true greats is gone now. RIP, good man, and thank you for some especially happy memories of wonderful times and lessons from my dad. May God bless you.

Brubeck’s music has been with me for almost five decades. Take Five, Raggy Waltz and the rest are part of my core. I have to place him right up there with the classical composers – a genius at performing his genius compositions. Thank you so much, Dave.

Dave Brubeck’s wife Iola wrote lyrics for “Take Five” and they were recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet with Carmen McRae doing the singing (listen here).

The lyrics seem to strike a theme also found in other lyrics written by performers’ wives (for example, these lyrics were written by Sandy Chapin).

I’m sure bloggers’ spouses can identify with the sentiment.