Dave Brubeck wows Island admirers
By Steve Myrick
Published: August 6, 2009
Jazz master Dave Brubeck thrilled a Vineyard audience Sunday with familiar tunes and one melody that took an Island twist. Mr. Brubeck and his quartet played at the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard benefit brunch, hosted by Jim and Susan Swartz at their Starbuck Neck home in Edgartown.
Dave Brubeck proved he can still move a crowd at his Island performance on Sunday. Photo by Steve Myrick Mr. Brubeck opened the set with a medley of Duke Ellington tunes. He became emotional introducing the jazz standard Canadian Sunset, which was written and recorded by Island resident Eddie Heyward. He recounted how Mr. Heyward attended his previous Island appearances at The Hot Tin Roof. "He told me, if you want to write a hit song, always start with the bass line," said Mr. Brubeck. With that, he sat down and teased the crowd with a few bars of the instantly recognizable bass line of "Take Five," the jazz tune that became a worldwide hit when Mr. Brubeck recorded it in 1959.
With the quartet in peak form, Mr. Brubeck wrapped up the set with "Blue Rondo a la Turk," then delivered a rollicking version of "Take Five," to the absolute delight of the audience, who offered repeated standing ovations during the performance.
