Dave Brubeck is one of the most active and popular musicians in the world today. With an incredible career spanning more than six decades, his experiments with odd time signatures, improvised counterpoint, and distinctive harmonies remain hallmarks of a unique musical style. Five of his works are featured here.

Charlie 'Bird' Parker is arguably the greatest saxophonist of all time. He was a master of chordal improvising, creating new melodies that were based on the structure of a song. Bird wrote several future standards incuding 'Scrapple From The Apple' featured here.



Richard Rodgers started composing at age 9 and grew to become America's most revered songwriter. His collaborations with Lorenz Hart and later Oscar Hammerstein are legendary on Broadway and in Hollywood.

Duke Ellington used the orchestra as his instrument. He wrote specifically for his musicians, drawing on their talents as soloists and ensemble players. His contributions to the jazz genre are far too many to talk about here. Listen to his 'Take The A Train' at the end of 'Jazz Standards Medley No 1'.



John 'Dizzy' Gillespie, along with Charlie Parker, was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz. A trumpet virtuoso, who added layers of harmonic complexity never heard in jazz before, Dizzy had an impact on virtually every subsequent trumpeter. Listen to his ' A Night In Tunisia' featured here, and 'Manteca', on the Jazz Piano page.



Benny Goodman was called the 'King of Swing' and was one of the early innovators of the genre. Goodman's orchestra was a sensation with teens and jazz fans alike, all flocking to hear their idol's clarinet magic. Check out 'Limehouse Blues' featured here.

JAZZ ENSEMBLES

Blue Rondo A La Turk Dave Brubeck
(Drums/Bass by Bruce Stidston*)
Pennies From Heaven Arthur Johnston
My Funny Valentine Richard Rodgers
I'm In The Mood For Love Jimmy McHugh / Dorothy Fields
(A mix of Charlie Parker and Art Tatum interpretations )
Ja-Da Bob Carleton
Three To Get Ready Dave Brubeck
(Drums by Mike Le Voi)
Praeludium 'n' Allegro G. Pugnani-Kreisler
What a Wonderful World George David Weiss / Bob Thiele
On Green Dolphin Street Bronislau Kaper
(Sax version. Piano solo as by Andy LaVerne)
It's A Raggy Waltz Dave Brubeck
All The Things You Are Jerome Kern / Oscar Hammerstein II
Basin Street Blues Spencer Williams
A String of Pearls Eddie de Lange / Jerry Gray
Jazz Standards Medley No1 Various
Jazz Standards Medley 2 Various
Limehouse Blues Phil Braham
Scrapple From The Apple Charlie Parker
My Favourite Things Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein II
Fascinating Rhythm George Gershwin
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea Harold Allen
Tuxedo Junction Erskine Hawkins / William Johnson / Julian Dash
Everybody's Jumpin' Dave Brubeck
(Drums/Bass by Bruce Stidston*)
Kathy's Waltz Dave Brubeck
(Drums/Bass by Bruce Stidston*)
A Night In Tunisia Frank Paparelli / John 'Dizzy' Gillespie
Satin Doll Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn
Caravan Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Juan Tizol
Cumana Barclay Allen
Sweet Sue Victor Young
Strike Up The Band Andrew Sterling / Charles Ward
Jingle Bells J. Pierpont

 

NOTES:
* Thanks and appreciation to Bruce Stidston for his drum and bass sequencing for these Brubeck tracks. (We worked via email. Bruce in England and I in India!) Bruce's understanding and interpretations of Brubeck's complex time signatures is brilliant. Without Bruce's collaboration I would not have attempted these works - ever. Do check them out. Especially the very disturbing and fascinating Kathy's Waltz.

The music and the bios on this page are but a hazy reflection of all the greats in jazz. There are many who are missing. And that is only because I have not yet got down to deciphering the works of those like Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Chic Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Thelonious Monk, and many, many more.

 

Copyright 2008 © Jeanne Coello, Goa, India