Unisphere – 1964
Dave Brubeck Quartet
The famous group makes the 5/4 “Unisphere” sound effortless to play
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When the classic Dave Brubeck Trio with altoist Paul Desmond, bassist Eugene Wright, and drummer Joe Morello recorded “Take Five” in 1959, the musicians were not completely comfortable with playing in 5/4 time with the possible exception of Morello.
In fact, on the original recording Brubeck did not take a piano solo, instead comping the rhythm throughout.
By 1964 when they were filmed playing “Unisphere,” things had greatly changed and the quartet sounded quite at home jamming on this 5/4 original.
Desmond creates new melodies while floating over the chord changes and Brubeck fearlessly digs into the piece with his solo gaining intensity as it develops.
-Scott Yanow
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