Dave Brubeck - Time Out
Something (else) a bit different this week, and a very personal one for me.
I have no idea whether learning the recorder at an early age is still the norm, but for someone of my tender years it was compulsory. In my final year of infant school (so I think I would have been 10), our class teacher recognised my inner recorder talent, and recruited me, my best mate and two girls to form a jazz quartet. We essentially were the backing ‘band’ to his Hammond organ and vibraphone playing.
We performed at a couple of parent ‘concerts’ and in front of the rest of the school on a few occasions. Sadly there are no recordings of these events, but my very dimmed memory suggests we were actually quite good.
Our repertoire consisted of Blue Moon (how prophetic!), Honeysuckle Rose, Bei mir bist du schön, and a couple of others that have left my memory over the years. Practice was most lunchtimes, only a hardship because I missed my football session, but was very enjoyable. We didn’t just practice, we also listened to Jazz records to broaden our knowledge.
Thankfully, if you’re still with my waffle, that’s where this week’s pick comes in. Given that we were only 10 yo, an introduction to Dave Brubeck and his unusual time signatures may have seemed over the top. However, it all seemed to make sense, and although we never played any of his music, I found the concept of non standard timing fascinating.
Time Out is the only jazz album I have ever owned. I got my first copy around the age of 15, so a good few years after I left my first school. I still listen to it. The musicianship is off the scale. Take Five and Blue Rondo are the stand outs, but the rest is such good listening. Four musicians who were masters of their craft.
When I play this album, it takes me back to a time of innocence, when someone went above and beyond to be more than just a teacher. He gave us a lasting legacy and a love of music.
This won’t be for everyone. I’m not a big jazz lover, but as a time machine this is as good as it gets.
