Broadcast on 27-Jul-2009

Tonight The Jazz Show presents some early Brubeck Quartet recordings that are not as common as many others. These recordings are derived from broadcasts done from New York's Basin Street nightclub in February 1956. The Quartet by this time had reached enormous popularity from their recordings and college tours. Their repertoire was still mostly standards from the great American Songbook. Brubeck is especially creative here and many many piano players checked him out and copied his original ideas but sadly never acknowledged Brubeck in print, something that still rankles the 89 year old today. Heard with Dave is alto saxophonist Paul Desmond who is always superb and consistent with his melodic, lyrical style. Charlie Parker listed Desmond as his favourite of all the young altoists because of his originality. Dave's rhythm section at that time was Norman Bates on bass who had taken over from his brother Bob and the unheralded Joe Dodge on drums. Dodge was always tasteful and never got in the way and kept great time with both sticks and brushes. Here is some excellent and rare Brubeck from his classic period....enjoy!