Legendary jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck has passed away at the age of 91. While he is widely known for the piece “Take Five”, Brubeck’s career spanned over six decades, dating back to WWII. He challenged the common notion that white people shouldn’t be playing jazz in white clubs, among others. He brought different styles together so effortlessly and never feared the backlash he might receive from traditionalists.
Despite early struggles, he went on to become an accomplished musician, with his group the Dave Brubeck Quartet. He was also recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, played for Mikhail Gorbachev in Moscow at a dinner hosted by Ronald Reagan, and was even still touring at 88.
He passed this morning of heart failure while with his son Darius on the way to a doctors appointment. Brubeck would have celebrated his 92nd birthday tomorrow.
‘Take a listen to “Take Five” here: