I'm i the mood for some seriously relaxed, laidback jazz... so let's get it on. Sunday evening ... dinner done, hunger satiated... time to chill with my girl.
One of the most famous tunes from my childhood was Take Five... possibly Dave Brubecks most known recording.
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
I was 15 or 16 when I heard it for the first time, my sight-reading teacher played it and explained the measure of 5 beats. I couldn't figure out how to play it without a score. (maybe sounds like a paradox as it was the subject sight-reading: when you practice to scan in advance quickly the piano scores and play in real-time and still looking always forward, and never stop or slow down, happens what happens. So reading!! but we had to figure out the playing without the scores for this one. Haha, it was impossible, maybe he was just making a prank with us?
Gaspare Pavia
11 months ago
I am 68. I first heard this when our history teacher played it to relax us before a test. I was 16 at the time and it made a lasting impression on me. Truly a work of art.
Brubeck was a jazz pianist ... yet to my mind the alto sax takes center stage...certainly upfront, and later in the piece.
SeanDoe
1 year ago
Eugene Wright, the bassist here, died December 30th 2020 at 97. He was the last living musician from the Time Out album (the one this was on- if you only know the Infinity commercial song, check out the track "Blue Rondo ala Turk", a work of genius). RIP.
Moving right along ... Another track which we all grew up with ... and I am at odds to explain how... because I am very familiar with George Gershwin... and especially Rhapsody in Blue .. but I cannot explain how I know it...{thinks} "Am I George reincarnated?"
George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
bcro
2 years ago (edited)
The first record I bought as an 8 year old. 12 Inch 78 and had to be turned over to hear the complete Rhapsody. Paul Whiteman Orchestra with Gershwin on piano. I still have it, not a scratch on it. I am now 83.
elaine duffyluedtke
1 year ago
my father was a fantastic pianist and he played this often and I would sit and just close my eyes and listen..I was very young the first time I remember hearing it about 6 I guess..he played it often until he passed in 1994. one of the last things I heard him play before he became suddenly ill and passed away.. my home was always filled with music when my parents were alive and I was growing up...I really miss those days and every time I hear this I can see my dad at the piano.
A challenge for you 
I must admit I am a fan of Miles Davis ... chill background sound while actively engaged ...in other things that allow distraction ...like..errrr, background music {grin}
Miles Davis - So What
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music.
Source
Man, that man can BLOW !!
For my personal taste I am going to end off with a slightly more modern jazz musician who I really enjoy ... in fact probably the only jazz artist I purchased vinyl of..
In my teenage years Chick Corea, along with John McClaughlin, Avisha Cohen and Billy Cobham were what jazz was all about(I learnt later they were not the here all and be all ... but hey, I was young and impressionable) ...
Chick Corea - Vigilette
A few days after the performance, Corea sat down with Christian McBride — our host, and his longtime musical collaborator — for a collegial and far-ranging conversation. They discuss the first time Corea saw Miles Davis, an experience that changed his life, and one he recalls with absolute detail. Corea also reflects on the role of an artist: "We have a mission to go out there and be an antidote to war, and all of the dark side of what happens on Planet Earth," he says. "We're the ones that go in and remind people about their creativity."
To me this man is LEGEND .... in fact, one more ...
Chick Corea - Live in Spain
FunkyFlunky
11 months ago
RIP Chick Corea. Another great has left us. “It is my hope that those who have an inkling to play, write, perform or otherwise, do so. If not for yourself then for the rest of us. It’s not only that the world needs more artists, it’s also just a lot of fun.” Chick Corea 2021.
I confess that this was fun and had me sidetracked down the music rabbit hole for an extra hour. As always thanks for stopping by.