The Unlikely Birth of 'Take Five'

In the early days of jazz, the genre was often associated with traditional American music. However, Dave Brubeck had a vision for something more - he wanted to incorporate elements from around the world into his music. This was a bold move at the time, and many musicians were skeptical about his experimental approach.

Brubeck's interest in African music was sparked by an expedition into the Belgian Congo in the mid-1940s. He believed that jazz people weren't listening to what was coming out of Africa, so he set out to familiarize himself and other musicians with this new sound. His efforts were met with resistance from some who felt that jazz shouldn't be played in odd time signatures.

One memorable encounter took place when Brubeck's quartet was invited to perform on live TV. As they launched into their hit single, 'Take Five,' things didn't quite go according to plan. The drummer started swinging a different meter, and the brothers found themselves struggling to fit the melody and rhythm into a squared beat.

Despite the initial mishap, Brubeck remained calm and counted out the tempo, guiding his quartet through the tricky time signature. 'Take Five' was born, and it would go on to become one of the most iconic jazz pieces of all time.

The song's unique 5/4 time signature was a deliberate choice by Paul Desmond, the saxophonist, who wanted to create something that would stand out from the traditional 2/4 or 3/4 rhythms. The result was a song that was both challenging and captivating, with a memorable melody that has been imprinted on jazz fans worldwide.

In an interview decades later, Brubeck recalled his anxiety about performing 'Take Five' live, fearing that he might make a mistake and embarrass himself in front of the cameras. But instead, the quartet's performance was a triumph, and 'Take Five' went on to become one of their signature tunes.

As we look back on the unlikely birth of 'Take Five,' it's clear that Brubeck's willingness to experiment with unconventional rhythms and time signatures paved the way for a new era in jazz. His innovative spirit continues to inspire musicians today, and 'Take Five' remains a timeless classic that defies genre boundaries.

Davae brubeck take five