I’ve got one more anthem for you. Jazz is the most originally American style of music and if there is a jazz tune that everyone identifies with that genre, it is “Take Five”, written by alto sax man Paul Desmond and performed by the Dave Brubeck Quartet.
Originally released in 1959, it was two years later when they re-released the song that it took off and remains the biggest selling jazz single of all time. It has been used in dozens of films, tv shows, theme songs, and remains one of the most played tunes on jazz radio stations.
Influenced by Bulgarian and Turkish street rhythms that they experienced while on a State Department tour of Eurasia, Brubeck and Desmond played with incorporating the 9/8 syncopation and minor keys they heard while overseas. It is sexy, flirty, sultry music, where you can almost see the lights dim, the room fill with smoke, and here the rocks clinking in the cocktail coming your way.
But did you know the song had sultry lyrics to match the tune?
Carmen McRae recorded the 1961 version with the quartet and her dark, edgy sound, gives the song a completely different feel.
Upon his death in 1977, Paul Desmond left the performing rights royalties to “Take Five” and all of his compositions to the American Red Cross. To date, the Red Cross receives approximately $100,000 per year from Mr. Desmond’s bequest.
Here he is, playing that piece which is the signature of what great jazz can be, both the 1959 recording and a groovy live performance from the same era. Sit back, pour a cocktail and ease into your weekend.
I didn’t know that there were lyrics to Take Five, and I have to say that Carmen McRae’s vocals were spot on with the instrumental take.
I so wish I could have been old enough to take part in such a great time of musical history where it seemed like the only one’s who accepted those of color were those who were open to the broad spectrum of talent that was so rich that it was only accepted by means of entertainment only or service.
Musicians during those days were on the cutting edge of creative change that was only made possible by embracing the long standing soul of those of color. In the world of musicians who searched for a transformation from the status quo that seemed to permeate the mainstream of the white culture. This was an amazing time for those of color to be in the music industry and making a change that would alter the sound of music and every entertainment industry from there on. Thank you for the memories as so many of you are now gone, but my father kept you alive in my soul.
The younger generation of today haven’t any cultural background of the many avenues that were created by the black culture in the musical industry so long ago. I honestly don’t know the whole story of that era, but when I listen to the progression of the talent that once brought this whole spark of change to an amazing channel of impact upon the music industry, it’s astounding as well as so inspiring.