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Monday April 14th, 2003

Essential Dave Brubeck covers 53 years of Baldwin artist's recordings

Columbia/Legacy has released The Essential Dave Brubeck, the latest in its series of double-disc, greatest-hits sets and the second to feature a jazz artist (The Essential Miles Davis was the first).

The 31-track, double-CD set spans Brubecks career from 1949 to 2002 and includes six cuts originally recorded for labels other than Columbia. Among the sets highlights are ten live tracks and four tunes sung by star vocalists Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Rushing and Carmen McRae ("That Old Black Magic," "Summer Song," "Therell be Some Changes" and "Travelin Blues" respectively). The collection provides a wide-ranging view of Brubecks artistry, ranging from "hits" that originated with his group, such as "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo a la Turk," to his interpretation of such standards as "Stardust" and "Take the A Train." Only one previously unreleased track is included: "Bossa Nova U.S.A.," recorded on Oct. 25, 1962.

Dave Brubeck is one of a few improvising artists whose popularity is is equal to his musical accomplishments. He has for half a century been a major figure as pianist, composer, and leader of perhaps the most widely known and well-traveled quartet in the history of jazz. The Essential Dave Brubeck is a comprehensive course in Brubeck Time with 31 tracks from 24 albums, spanning 53 years.