That may be a conservative estimate of the number of times Dave Brubeck has played “Take Five” since Paul Desmond’s infectious tune became a massive hit forty-six years ago. The Brubeck Quartet’s 2006 Newport Jazz Festival peformance is not the most recent; wherever Brubeck played last night, he played “Take Five.” But in July the cameras were rolling, or whatever digital cameras do (dig?) at Newport and caught a jovial 85-year-old leader and his band in good form and a beautiful setting. Notice the clouds reflected in the piano’s surface. Brubeck is laughing as the piece starts because the group had just completed an outrageously swinging “Margie,” of all things. I have seen that clip on the MSN video internet site, but can’t seem to find it again. If anyone has the url for “Margie,” please report it to Rifftides World Headquarters.
In the meantime, here’s a thirteen-minute “Take Five.” You will be treated to a short commercial going in, but from there it’s clear sailing (after all, this was Newport).