July 17, 1928 – March 12, 2011

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Drummer Joe Morello was born July 17, 1928 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Morello first started playing music on the violin when he was six and twice performed Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the ages of nine and 12.

When he was 15, Morello switched to the drums and jazz.

His earliest recording was a live set with Phil Woods in 1947 although he did not appear on a commercially recording until 1953 when he played with Gil Melle and began an association with the Marian McPartland Trio.

Morello, who was considered a brilliant technician admired by Buddy Rich, also recorded in his early days with trumpeter Bob Alexander, pianist John Mehegan, Tal Farlow, Jimmy Raney, Sal Salvador, Thad Jones, Eddie Bert, Jackie Cain, Lou Stein, Jimmy McPartland, Sam Most, Helen Merrill, and Vinnie Burke.

But he became best known for being a member of the classic Dave Brubeck Quartet along with altoist Paul Desmond and bassist Norman Bates (succeeded by Eugene Wright in 1958) during 1956-67.

Morello traveled the world with Brubeck and influenced many younger drummers; his expertise with unusual time signatures allowed the quartet to record “Take Five,” “Blue Rondo A La Turk,” and many other adventurous pieces in the 1960s.

After the Brubeck Quartet broke up in 1967, Morello (whose eyesight was failing) was in demand as an educator, staying close to home except for occasional reunions with Brubeck and infrequent recordings including with Jay McShann, Sal Salvador, Marian McPartland, and his own albums; he led seven in his career with his final one being in 1994.

Joe Morello passed away in Mar. 12, 2011 at the age of 82.

Morello is featured in 1995 playing “Take Five” in a quartet with tenor-saxophonist Ralph LaLama, pianist Greg Kogan, and bassist Gary Mazzaroppi.

-Scott Yanow

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