The 1959 album Time Out broke industry barriers as the first jazz record to exceed one million sales, despite featuring complex, contrarian time signatures. Its lead single, Take Five, written by saxophonist Paul Desmond in 5/4 time, became the highest-selling jazz single ever. This success established Dave Brubeck, born in Concord in 1920, as a definitive figure in cool jazz.
Early Development
Born to a cattle rancher, Brubeck initially studied veterinary science at the College of the Pacific. At the urging of the zoology department head, he transitioned to the conservatory, though he struggled with sight-reading music due to poor eyesight. He graduated in 1942 under the condition he would never teach. His formal education continued at Mills College under Darius Milhaud, who pushed him toward orchestration and fugue rather than classical piano performance.
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During his service in the United States Army in Europe, Brubeck was diverted from combat duty after performing at a Red Cross show. He founded The Wolfpack, one of the military's first racially integrated bands, and met Paul Desmond in 1944. Following his discharge, his professional career gained momentum through recordings with Fantasy Records, which capitalized on the consistent sales of his early octet and trio works.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
In 1951, Brubeck formed his namesake quartet. The most successful configuration, active between 1958 and 1967, included Paul Desmond on alto saxophone, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums. This group gained international reach through a U.S. Department of State-sponsored tour in 1958. Their output frequently explored unconventional structures, including 'Blue Rondo à la Turk' in 9/8 time and 'Unsquare Dance' in 7/4 time.
Compositional Style
Brubeck’s musical approach blended classical techniques with jazz improvisation. Influenced by his mother's classical background and the compositions of Darius Milhaud, he integrated atonality and fugue into his work. His efforts to merge classical composition with jazz predated the formal term 'third stream.' His compositional range extended to larger forms, such as his first oratorio, The Light in the Wilderness, which incorporated twelve-tone rows.
Fast facts
- Born: 1920, Concord
- Died: 2012, Norwalk
- Educated: University of the Pacific, Mills College
- Memberships: The Dave Brubeck Quartet, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Key Award: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1996)
- Key Award: Kennedy Center Honors (2009)
- Key Award: Laetare Medal (2006)
- Burial site: Umpawaug Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Brubeck's most successful album?
Time Out, released in 1959, was his highest-selling album and the first jazz record to sell over one million copies.
How did Brubeck avoid combat during World War II?
He volunteered to play piano at a Red Cross show; the success of the performance led to him being reassigned from combat duties.
Achievements
- National Medal of Arts
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award — 1996
- Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album — 2009
- Kennedy Center Honors — 2009
- California Hall of Fame — 2008
- Instruments: piano, jazz piano and keyboard instrument
- Genres: jazz, West Coast jazz and cool jazz
