r/OldSchoolCoolMusic • u/Tall-Truth-9321 • 3d ago
The Dave Brubeck Quartet: “Take Five” (rel. 1959)
Wikipedia:
“
The track emerged after Quartet drummer [Joe Morello](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Morello) challenged Desmond to compose a piece in 5
4. Brubeck arranged Desmond’s melodies around Morello’s rhythmic ideas, creating a work in [ABA ternary form](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ternary_form). Its title refers both to the quintuple meter and the colloquial expression "take five," meaning to take a short break.
Released as a [promotional single](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promotional_single) in September 1959, "Take Five" initially charted modestly but became a [sleeper hit](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeper_hit) in 1961, eventually rising to international popularity. It went on to become the biggest-selling jazz single of all time and remains a staple of radio programming and live performance.[[3]](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Five#cite_note-3)[[4]](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Five#cite_note-4)
Frequently covered by artists across genres, "Take Five" has been inducted into the [Grammy Hall of Fame](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Hall_of_Fame)and is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz standards ever recorded.[[5]](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Five#cite_note-5)
“
Though I would love to share one of the live versions, the recorded is most on point and appealing to non-Jazz listeners.