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Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Hazcat on March 13, 2011, 07:17:07 PM

Title: Legendary jazz drummer Joe Morello dies at 82
Post by: Hazcat on March 13, 2011, 07:17:07 PM

AP)  TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) — Legendary jazz drummer Joe Morello, whose virtuosity and command of odd time signatures made him an integral part of the Dave Brubeck Quartet on such classic recordings as "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo a la Turk," has died at age 82.

Family members said Morello died Saturday at his home in northern New Jersey. A cause of death was not immediately available.

Brubeck said the loss of his friend "came as a complete shock to me."

"Many people consider the rhythm section of (bassist) Eugene Wright and Joe Morello in my quartet as being one of the most consistent, swinging rhythm sections in jazz," Brubeck said in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press. "Drummers worldwide remember Joe as one of the greatest drummers we have known."

Morello's decision to join Brubeck's quartet in 1956 paved the way for the leader's experiments in unusual rhythms on a series of groundbreaking "Time" albums in the late '50s and early '60s that earned popular and critical acclaim.

"Joe was a pioneer in odd time signatures and a vital part of the "Time" series the Quartet made at Columbia Records," said Brubeck. "His drum solo on 'Take Five' is still being heard around the world."

Brubeck got the inspiration for "Take Five" after hearing Morello playing a 5/4 beat while warming up backstage before a concert with alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. The pianist asked Desmond to write a melody in 5/4 time for a tune that would feature a Morello drum solo. Brubeck suggested combining two themes that Desmond wrote to create "Take Five," which became a surprise Top 40 hit on jukeboxes and one of the best-known jazz recordings.
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More at link http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/13/ap/celebrities/main20042640.shtml

Title: Re: Legendary jazz drummer Joe Morello dies at 82
Post by: Pecos Bill on March 13, 2011, 07:51:52 PM

I'm not a major fan of jazz (I'm more classical oriented) but the world of jazz HAS lost one of its best and most innovative. I could spend hours listening to the old Dave Brubeck Quartet recordings. It's interesting to me that if you listen closely to Take Five 3/4 of the quartet or just a rhythm section for Desmond. A loss for us all.

Pecos

Title: Re: Legendary jazz drummer Joe Morello dies at 82
Post by: jaybet on March 14, 2011, 07:49:03 AM

Adios, maestro!

Title: Re: Legendary jazz drummer Joe Morello dies at 82
Post by: shooter32 on March 14, 2011, 10:01:54 AM

RIP Joe, a true great one!

Title: Re: Legendary jazz drummer Joe Morello dies at 82
Post by: twyacht on March 14, 2011, 08:22:15 PM

An absolute percussion genius. His style, and inherent natural rhythm, that is a great legacy for a truly great musician.

RIP