Dave Brubeck Quartet
Live From The Northwest, 1959
Release Date: November 24, 2023
Label: Brubeck Editions
This collection of recordings from two electrifying concerts is a celebration of the iconic quartet’s singular sound and stellar output in the 1950’s. The legendary Mr. Brubeck’s pianistic refrains dance with alto saxophonist Paul Desmond’s fluid melodic invention, and the steadfast rhythm section made up of bassist Eugene Wright and drummer Joe Morello offers the perfect balance of support and rhythmic invention.
In early April 1959, sound engineer Wally Heider packed his Ampex 350-2 tape recorder in his station wagon and headed to Portland, Oregon to create some of the very first high-quality remote recordings of the classic Dave Brubeck Quartet. Audiences were falling in love with the group because of their fresh sound, their incomparable musicianship, and an astonishing proclivity to improvise contrapuntal passages spontaneously. This was just months before the rhythmic invention and hallmark sound of the quartet’s historic Time Out took the world by storm. “The rhythmic innovation and unprecedented success of Time Out, recorded only four months later, eclipsed the Quartet’s signature mastery of spontaneous counterpoint that had fascinated their audience in the 50’s; but on Live from the Northwest, 1959, their unprecedented skills are gloriously evident. What Wally Heider captures on this release are two performances that embody the very sound of the Dave Brubeck Quartet that audiences first fell in love with - lightning in a bottle.
Recorded on April 4, 1959 at the historic Multnomah Hotel in Portland and on April 5th in the auditorium at nearby Clark College, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Live from the Northwest, 1959 features all four band members in peak form. The Multnomah tapes put you in the "best seat in the house" vibe of an intimate late ‘50’s jazz venue and invites you to absorb the environment and the marvelous music. The Clark College tracks are brilliantly played and presented in pristine concert hall acoustics. It is a testament to Heider’s engineering skills that there is a wonderful sonic quality that unifies the soundscape of the two venues.
“When The Saints Go Marching In”, the album’s first track, will be the first single scheduled for digital release on October 13, 2023. This is the only known recording of this jazz anthem by the "classic” Quartet. It is a hard-swinging romp through the old standard which energizes the stage with high-flying solos. Darius Brubeck describes this track as “a master class in rhythm section unanimity with solos that cruise joyfully at a fast tempo.” Dave Brubeck plays with a light and nimble touch that evokes Count Basie. You can hear him inviting Paul back in for the final “head out" before they burst into a Bach-like impromptu duet that dances around the chord changes. Gene and Joe provide the solid foundation which enables Paul and Dave to let their ideas soar. As Matt Brubeck observes “one hopes bassists will note how much variation there is in Wright’s walking lines. Even with relatively short forms such as “Saints" and "Basin Street,” Wright is constantly improvising, rarely repeating himself.”
"Basin Street Blues” is the second single scheduled for digital release on October 20, 2023. On this take, you can hear that the Quartet is in that special state-of-mind where the solos are relaxed and exploratory. Chris Brubeck says “Paul’s solo is grounded in a more traditional approach but you hear him pushing the harmonic envelope during his excursions. Dave is singing along with his solos, achieving a musical unity between his imagination and his fingers, which I know from having played hundreds of performances with him, is a rare place for him to be as a performer. On this stage, on this night, he and the band are deep in The Zone.”
"These Foolish Things” is a bonus track appearing on only the CD and digital releases. The recording showcases Desmond’s unrivaled lyricism. Dave always considered himself a composer who happens to play jazz piano and you can hear the inspired orchestrational nature and arc of his solo in response to Paul’s improvised melodies. Eugene adds a solo demonstrating he is more than a “meat and potatoes” bassist and capable of being technically nimble when appropriate. Gene and Joe are the ultimate team players. On the next offering from Clark College, you can also hear the great Morello content to play brushes and a supportive role under Paul’s facile solo on “Gone with the Wind.” Dave’s whimsical piano improvisation on this tune reveals Joe’s reactive and intuitive playing. This can be heard when Dave quotes “Anything Goes,” warning Joe that he’s about to stretch his rhythmic phrasing.
“The Multnomah Blues”, the CD’s second bonus track, was recorded at a venue in the popular Multnomah Hotel, kicking off the final set of the night. As you can hear, the audience and the Quartet are sounding loose and happy. Paul’s solo on this blues is typically innovative. Joe is on sticks, anticipating and accenting phrases to propel the piano explorations. Again, one hears Dave’s chords voicing the Big Band he is hearing in his head. Gene, Joe and Dave are "digging in,” yelling encouragement across the bandstand to each other. Dave sets up Joe for drum trades where, as Dan Brubeck says, "Joe displays his creativity, humor and amazing technique.” Coming out of this deep Blues exploration, Paul re-enters and the Quartet manages to weave in another contrapuntal exchange as they work their way to the ending.
"Two Part Contention” is an original piece by Dave Brubeck that made its debut on his solo piano LP Brubeck Plays Brubeck in 1956. In this Quartet version, the counterpoint intentions of the composition are revealed immediately. The extended and elaborate arrangement is designed to let the group explore the melody and changes like a theme and variations form often found in the Classical world. The Clark College audience is fascinated and happy to go on this long ride with the group. The elegant acoustics of the auditorium provide an invitation for the Quartet to play their sensitive and sparse arrangement of "The Lonesome Road.” Music at its core is an art form where the performers are telling a story to engage the audience. Upon hearing this performance, Darius wrote: “The development is like Beethoven would have done it, the story-arc is there right through growth, a busy life and the funeral march towards the end and the ending itself.”
The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Live From The Northwest, 1959 affords listeners the experience of enjoying the “best seat in the house” at two exceptional performances by Brubeck’s iconic Quartet during the very height of its synergy and exploration. This is an amazing recording by the legendary Wally Heider that captures the Quartet at the peak of their swinging, contrapuntal era.
This is the third release from Brubeck Editions, the official label of the Brubeck family. Previous releases include Time OutTakes (2020) and Live From Vienna 1967 (2022). Every release is proudly and meticulously edited, mixed and remastered, and issued on 180 gram vinyl, and on CD and digital formats.
Dave Brubeck Trio
Live From Vienna 1967
CD Release Date: April 15, 2022
LP Record Store Day Release: April 23, 2022
Label: Brubeck Editions
Brubeck Editions is thrilled to announce the release of Dave Brubeck Trio – Live From Vienna 1967, the newly discovered recording of the extraordinary evening when the iconic Dave Brubeck Quartet was forced to take the stage as a trio. This electrifying album marks the only recording of jazz luminary Dave Brubeck, celebrated drummer Joe Morello and acclaimed bassist Eugene Wright performing in a trio context. During this performance at Vienna’s famed Konzerthaus, the pared-down instrumentation proves only to exemplify the genius of Brubeck and his legendary rhythm section. This historical release will drop as a compact disc on April 15, 2022, followed by a special LP release on April 23, 2022 for Record Store Day.
The date was November 12, 1967 and the Dave Brubeck Quartet was nearing the end of their very last tour of Europe. They had played in Hamburg on November 10th, but saxophonist Paul Desmond got “distracted” after going out on the town for one last evening to explore Hamburg with an old friend. When the rest of the quartet went to the airport on the morning of November 11th, Paul was missing. He didn’t make the lobby call or the flight and the rest of the group traveled to Vienna without him.
Grammy nominated composer and son of Dave, Chris Brubeck notes “Knowing my father, he was probably worried about Paul. However, Dave also would have suspected that Paul may have been out celebrating too hard.” Brubeck must have felt assured that Desmond would show up, as Chris indicates, “ there were later flights Paul could take to get to Vienna in time for the concerts”. But Paul never made it to Vienna, and the remaining members of the quartet were reluctantly pushed into an exciting place of spontaneous invention and exploration. As Chris notes “Dave often said that the audience was the fifth member of the Quartet. In this unique situation, the Trio played a singular and inspired set no doubt influenced by this particular concert’s fourth member of the ensemble – the Viennese audience. There was suddenly more solo space for all three musicians to explore with their inspired improvisations. These performers instinctively utilized the great sound and dynamics of this hallowed concert hall both to rattle the rafters and float gentle melodies up to the balconies.” The recording highlights the late “Senator” Eugene Wright, who sadly passed away December 30, 2020. The last surviving member of the quartet, he was always appreciated as the foundation upon which the other members of the quartet relied, but on this recording, he has more space to show off his formidable bass chops.
The trio sizzles with a ferocious energy right out of the gate with a spirited take on “St. Louis Blues”. For chorus after chorus, Brubeck offers up some of the finest examples of his signature chordal and rhythmic performing, while interspersing soulful, lyrical melodies in his right hand. About five minutes into the track during his bass solo, Gene quotes “I’m Going to Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair”, likely a joke for Brubeck and Morello referring to their missing bandmate, Desmond. The band continues with “One Moment Worth Years”, on which Brubeck and Wright’s touch can be described as charming, inventive and elegant.
“Swanee River” features an up-tempo syncopated groove that sets up a very polyrhythmic and high-spirited interpretation of the Stephen Foster composition that the trio had previously recorded alongside Desmond on the 1959 album Gone With the Wind. Notably, Brubeck engages in some very spirited trades with drummer Joe Morello. The trio calms things down with a sweet and tender version of “La Paloma Azul”, a Mexican folk tune rearranged with an ingenious polyphonic twist that appears during the closing melodic statement.
The crowd immediately recognizes “Someday My Prince Will Come”, and the piano leads the group on an intense romp that challenges the underlying time from the rhythm section with an elastic piano solo superimposing 3 against 2. As Chris Brubeck indicates “Dave bends the time to the near breaking point, a musical drama that an audience can really feel and follow.” The album concludes with a tune known throughout the world – “Take the A Train”.
As Chris Brubeck espouses, “I think if our dad were alive to hear this Brubeck Trio recording now, he’d be flashing his famous big smile. He would be extremely proud to hear how, more than half a century ago, he, Gene and Joe got thrown a curve ball and knocked it out of the park!”
Dave Brubeck Trio – Live From Vienna 1967 is distributed by MVD Audio. LP’s are 180 gram virgin vinyl.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Time OutTakes: Previously Unreleased Takes from the Original 1959 Sessions
Release date: December 4, 2020
Label: Brubeck Editions
Brubeck Editions inaugural release, timed to celebrate Dave Brubeck’s centennial, features recently discovered outtakes from The Dave Brubeck Quartet’s historic 1959 Time Out sessions. Brubeck Editions was created by the Brubeck family for the release of officially authorized music by the late musical innovator and American original, Dave Brubeck and his many musical collaborators. Time OutTakes offers listeners insights into the recording process behind one of the most significant and popular jazz recordings of all time. Time OutTakes features the innovative pianist and composer Dave Brubeck with his iconic quartet; lyrical alto saxophonist and composer Paul Desmond; and the steadfast rhythm section of bassist Eugene Wright and drummer Joe Morello who energize each enthralling track.
Designated a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress, Dave Brubeck’s storied life is documented by hundreds of celebrated recordings. 1954’s Jazz Goes to College introduced the artform to a widespread new audience; 1961’s Bernstein Plays Brubeck Plays Bernstein marked a beautiful collaboration that set a precedent for the integration of jazz and classical stylings. 1962’s The Real Ambassadors sees a landmark collaboration between Brubeck and Louis Armstrong. However, there is no release quite as pivotal in the discography of Dave Brubeck and perhaps in the greater pantheon of jazz recordings as a whole than 1959’s Time Out. Time Out captures Brubeck and his quartet at a point of peak artistic excellence and exploration. Experimenting with odd time signatures, improvised counterpoint, polyrhythm and polytonality, Brubeck retained a soulful and playful nature to his music that audiences everywhere were fascinated and excited by.
Time Out became the first jazz album to sell over a million copies and “Blue Rondo a la Turk” and the quintessential Desmond-composed and Brubeck-arranged classic “Take Five” (now in the Grammy Hall of Fame) began to appear on jukeboxes throughout the world, propelling Brubeck’s name to one that signified exploratory innovation, deep appreciation for disparate music cultures and a fresh, exciting new sound in jazz music.
Brubeck Editions’ release of Time OutTakes furthers the legacy of these hallmark sessions and the iconic composer and bandleader on the centennial of his birth. The family learned of the existence of the raw tapes of the Time Out sessions while being interviewed for several biographies that were released as a part of Brubeck’s centennial celebration after the authors had located the audio in Brubeck’s archives. Chris Brubeck notes “During an English tour by Brubecks Play Brubeck (Darius on piano, me on bass and trombone, Dan on drums and Dave O’Higgins on saxophones) we listened to hours of music that never made it onto the final Time Out LP. These undiscovered performances were a thrilling revelation! The interaction of these immensely talented musicians created incredible music but we also could hear that they actually DID make mistakes sometimes. They were having a challenging time playing this new tune in 5/4 that would eventually become the worldwide hit “Take Five.” We heard a beautiful take of “Cathy’s Waltz” that was arguably better than the take that went on Time Out. The more we listened, the more we smiled as we were transported through time by the melodic lyricism of Paul Desmond, the intense swing and technical brilliance of Joe Morello, the deep, dependable bass grooves laid down by Gene Wright and the undeniable inventiveness of our father’s piano prowess — polytonal, polyrhythmic, swinging and playful. His compositions were fresh, the odd time signatures “game-changing” and his tunes served as a springboard for innovative solos.”
Time OutTakes begins with the rollicking refrains of “Blue Rondo á la Turk”. Pianist Darius Brubeck indicates “The Columbia ‘Blue Rondo’ picked itself on the basis of fewer mistakes, but here on Time OutTakes, Paul and Dave refer to the main theme and Turkish-sounding scales in blues choruses that extend and unify the main idea, so the solos are more interesting and better serve the composition.” The album continues with “Strange Meadowlark”. Cellist, bassist and keyboardist Matt Brubeck notes “The performance here feels a bit more relaxed than on the original Time Out. Paul wittily weaves ‘Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered’ into his solo, and Dave’s closing piano statement feels more tender and expansive. I recall my father listening to birdsong and pointing out little scraps of tunes to me as we took walks together when I was young. Listening to ‘Strange Meadowlark’ reminds me of those times.”
Listeners are treated to a bright-tempoed treatment of “Take Five” which features a variation of the famous drum beat that Joe Morello played on the 1959 release. Drummer Dan Brubeck remarks “‘Take Five’ is one of the most successful creative collaborations in jazz history. At soundchecks, Joe Morello used to play around with 5/4 rhythms and Paul Desmond, liking what he heard, began to join in with several intriguing melodies. My dad helped Paul arrange his melodic ideas and came up with a vamp that glued the whole thing together. When I was a kid I loved going to concerts where I could pick up some pointers from Joe. I remember the excitement that I and everyone in the audience felt when we heard the piano vamp to ‘Take Five’ begin. I would watch from backstage completely mesmerized by Joe’s virtuosity. That is where my love affair with the art of drumming began.”
A gorgeous, refined rendition of “Cathy’s Waltz” follows, featuring magnificent, soulful solos from both Desmond and Brubeck. Brubeck’s daughter Cathy, the namesake of the piece, notes “When my father would come home from the road, he’d be so tired, but to connect and have some family fun he’d call a ‘jam session’. The boys would all get their instruments and I would wiggle into a blue tutu my mother had bought for me since I loved to dance. The three descending notes in the theme make me think of a young dancer twirling and falling: “Da-da-DUM, Da-da-DUM….twirl and plop, twirl and plop.” I’m not sure if that is what Dad was thinking when he wrote the piece, but I do remember we all had a lot of laughs at those jam sessions and eventually through my antics, I got a song named after me!”
The final two songs on the release “I’m In a Dancing Mood” and “Watusi Jam” are never-before-heard tracks that did not make it to the final 1959 recording. They replace “Pick Up Sticks” and “Everybody’s Jumpin” which were achieved in just one take on the original recording so there were no alternate takes to include on this release. “I’m In a Dancing Mood” is the only non-original tune recorded during the 1959 Time Out session. Bassist and trombonist Chris Brubeck notes “This ingenious arrangement of the Goodhart, Hoffman & Sigler song jumps from different time signatures and stylistic approaches, often switching grooves in a split second…It’s always great to have a “musical victory” early in the sessions to help bolster confidence, band morale, and the producer’s confidence. This track delivers with a tight, exciting performance!” The “Watusi Jam” was a spontaneous trio performance that the Brubeck family found unmarked on the session tapes. The track features Dave, Gene and Joe jamming over the “Watusi Drums” bass ostinato in 6/4 (first heard on “DBQ Live in Europe in 1958.) Dave fires off 30+ bars of bluesy licks until a reference to the melody sets up Joe’s solo. “Six bars of the ‘Watusi Drums’ melody appear at the end, but when that tune was recorded years later on Time In it was played with a very different fast “shuffle” rhythmic feel,” Chris indicates.
The tracks on Time OutTakes offer listeners a window into the compositional mind of a true American icon, in celebration of his 100-year legacy of innovation. To quote multiple Grammy Award Winning Producer Kabir Sehgal, “You’ll hear Dave Brubeck’s signature pieces afresh and anew. Listening to this album will make you rediscover why you fell in love with The Dave Brubeck Quartet featuring Paul Desmond, Joe Morello and Eugene Wright. This is mesmerizing music.”
Acclaimed Author, Grammy Winning Producer and CNN Commentator Douglas Brinkley writes in his liner notes: “Once the Dave Brubeck Quartet released Time Out in 1959, the world of jazz was never the same. What Time Out soon made clear was that Brubeck was much more than a pianist and composer; he was a genius of stunning originality. Time Out was an instrumental album which had the power to make people dream big or contemplate life or swing till dawn. Time OutTakes features alternative takes to the masterpiece that blew the hinges off the doors of jazz. What a high privilege it is to be able to be in the studio with the quartet as they innovate using 9/8, 5/4, and 6/4 time on such classics as “Blue Rondo a la Turk” and “Three to Get Ready.” What joyous music for the ages!”
Label: Brubeck Editions (BECD20200901)
For: Live From The Northwest, 1959
ADAM FEIBEL
JAZZ.FM
Read the album announcement here.
EDITOR
THE BLADE
"Another thing that makes Live From the Northwest, 1959 impressive is the quartet’s dazzling cover of “When The Saints Go Marching In,” the album’s lead-off song and arguably the most memorable." Read the full review here.
MARC MYERS
JAZZ WAX
"Listening to Dave, Desmond, Wright and Morello, one can't help but be swept away by the passion, the artistic camaraderie and breezy complexity of the music." Read the full review here.
GEORGE W. HARRIS
JAZZ WEEKLY
"Brubeck’s arranging skills, always underrated, is in glorious form here, as he kicks off the evening with a rapid and mercurial read of “When The Saints Go Marching In” with Desmond spitting out notes like watermelon seeds." Read the full review here.
EDITOR
LONDON JAZZ NEWS
"With Brubeck’s quartet, there’s just a sense that it doesn’t have to be difficult, but can be savoured calmly in a friendly musical environment." Read the full review here.
KYLE SIMPLER
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"Perhaps the press release sums it up best: "Listening to this new release, you will feel like you are sitting in the jazz club fully immersed in high fidelity sound, on a night when the incomparable Dave Brubeck Quartet was firing on all cylinders!" Read the full review here.
MATT MICUCCI
JAZZIZ
Check out this feature on the editors playlist here.
DAVID BROWN
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
Check out this feature on the editors playlist here.
JIN HYNES
THE GLIDE
"They were innovative at the time for their rhythmic invention, spontaneous counterpoint, and telepathic group interplay. Desmond is one of the all-time great alto players in terms of tone and melody." Read the full review here.
PIERRE GIROUX
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"All four members dive into the musical frame with spontaneous improvisation and progressive musical concepts identifying the quartet's singular sound." Read the full review here.
ALEX DUTILH
RADIO FRANCE
Check out the full announcement and review in French here.
EDITOR
AUDIOPHILE AUDITION
"It’s a special treat when previously unissued material from jazz iconic groups sees the light of day. It’s extra special when the acoustics match the anticipation. " Read the full review here.
PARTICK DALLONGEVILLE
PARIS MOVES
Check out this review in French here.
EDITOR
BEST OF JAZZ. ORG
"The recordings showcase the quartet in peak form, with the Multnomah tapes providing an intimate late ’50s jazz venue experience, and the Clark College tracks featuring brilliant performances in pristine concert hall acoustics." Check out this feature here.
CRAIG BYRD
CULTURAL ATTACHE
Check out this feature on the new releases list here.
JACK KENNY
JAZZ VIEW
"This is a great album in truly spectacular sound from a group at the height of its powers." Check out this feature on the new releases list here.
for Live From Vienna 1967
MATT MICUCCI
JAZZIZ
Read the album announcement here.
FRANK ALKYER
DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE
"Brubeck editions continues to mine the archives with this live performance." Read the full article in the April 2022 issue of DownBeat Magazine.
MATT MICUCCI
JAZZIZ
Featured on the '5 Record Store Day Drops You Need to Know" article here.
KYLE SIMPLER
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"This recording has a rather infamous backstory.." Read the Record Store Day Release article here.
MATT MICUCCI
JAZZIZ
Read the album announcement here.
FRANK ALKYER
DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE
"Brubeck editions continues to mine the archives with this live performance." Read the full article in the April 2022 issue of DownBeat Magazine.
MATT MICUCCI
JAZZIZ
Featured on the '5 Record Store Day Drops You Need to Know" article here.
KYLE SIMPLER
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"This recording has a rather infamous backstory.." Read the Record Store Day Release article here.
TOM HENRY
TOLEDO BLADE
"It's a gem." Read the review here.
ALEX DUTILH
RADIO FRANCE
Read the album announcement in French here.
JIM HYNES
GLIDE MAGAZINE
".. the trio, buoyed by an amazingly enthusiastic audience, delivered an intense and unbridled performance." Read the Record Store Day Release guide here.
AD AMORISI
FLOOD MAGAZINE
"Almost a decade after his instant classic Time Out hit the stands, pianist Brubeck was still wowing adventurous jazz listeners with odd tonalities and offbeat time signatures in the most memorably melodic way possible." Read the Record Store Day release article here.
STAFF
NPR
Featured on New Music Friday here.
PATRICK DALLONGEVILLE
PARIS-MOVE
Read the review in French here.
GEORGE W. HARRIS
JAZZ WEEKLY
"If you’re a Morello fan, you’re gonna have a great time with this disc.." Read the review here.
ANDREY HENKIN
THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD
Featured on the 'Recommended New Releases Column.' See it in the May 2022 issue here.
DAVID LUHRSSEN
SHEPHERD EXPRESS
"At their 1967 concert, finally released on CD, the temporarily diminished Brubeck Quartet expanded musically on all sides.." Read the full review here.
EDWARD BLANCO
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"Considered one of the foremost exponents of the cool jazz style—despite often generating intense block-chorded heat as a pianist—Dave Brubeck was also known to lead the finest quartet bands in the jazz world." Read the complete 4-star review here.
SCOTT YANOW
LA JAZZ SCENE
"Making the most of the unique situation, Brubeck comes up with fresh ideas on the pieces and puts on an entertaining and very musical show." Read the review here.
JACK KENNY
JAZZ VIEWS
"It is a beautifully recorded concert that shows the musicians playing with an urgency and a purpose as if to ensure that the absence of Desmond does not spoil the evening for the audience."
Read the review here.
BURAK SULUNBAZ
CAZKOLIK
"Without Desmond they have more space to explore their own voice and improvised solos made the band more enjoyable and sophisticated." Read the review here.
BILL KATES
BILL'S MUSIC BLOG
"..it was fortuitous that this show was captured." Read this review here.
ETIENNE DORSAY
JAZZ MAGAZINE
"Brubeckophiles cannot deprive themselves of this CD." Read the complete review in French in the June 2022 issue of Jazz Magazine.
DAN BILAWSKY
JAZZ TIMES
"Brubeck stretches out with a charged stand.." Read the review here.
ROBERT HAM
PASTE MAGAZINE
"The light touch the pianist is known for was interspersed by hammering chords and explosive solos." Read the review here.
KEN WAXMAN
JAZZ WORD
"Made up almost completely of familiar standards, this unexpected configuration brings exuberance and freshness to what elsewhere was a pretty standardized Brubeck combo show." Review here.
MIKE JURKOVIC
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"Brubeck, Wright, and Morello play like a trio born to be, well a time-honored trio." Review here.
LANCE LIDDLE
BEBOP SPOKEN HERE
"Brubeck, proves himself to be worthy of the applause that follows each number.." Read the review here.
MIKE GREENBLATT
GOLDMINE MAGAZINE
"pianist Brubeck, bassist Eugene Wright and drummer Joe Morello were troopers, delivering this magnificent set.." Read the review here.
JOHN WHITE
JAZZ JOURNAL
"..inspired by the apparent adversity" Read the review here.
GEORG MODESTIN
JAZZ 'N' MORE
Read the complete review in German in the July 2022 issue of Jazz ’N’ More Magazine.
BURAK SULUNBAZ
DARK BLUE NOTES
Read the complete review in Turkish here.
THOMAS CUNNIFFE
JAZZ HISTORY ONLINE
"..the trio got along without Desmond very well." Read the review here.
TOM HAUGEN
TAKE EFFECT
"Brubeck, Wright and Morello went ahead and made the best of the occasion.." Read the review here.
PAUL SEYDOR
THE ABSOLUTE SOUND MAGAZINE
"..the most exciting "new" jazz album I've heard in a long time" Read the review in the September issue of The Absolute Sound Magazine.
ROB LESTER
TALKIN' BROADWAY
"Nothing sounds tired." Read the complete review here.
KEN FRANCKLING
KEN FRANCKLING'S JAZZ NOTES
Listed as one of Ken's favorite 2022 historical releases here.
for Time OutTakes
NELSON BRILL
BOSTON CONCERT REVIEWS
These new outtakes are a joy to explore. They offer a deep dive into the originality of expression, both individually and collectively, that forged Time Out’s inventive masterpiece. Review here.
STEVE FUTTERMAN
THE NEW YORKER
"The looseness of these early takes is in delightful contrast to the meticulousness of the original album." Review here.
MIKE HOBART
THE FINANCIAL TIMES
★★★★ "Time Outtakes, released to mark the centenary of Dave Brubeck’s birth, collects previously unreleased alternate takes and songs to throw new light on this jazz classic. It confirms the album’s enduring popularity... and finds the critical emphasis on odd time-signatures meant other qualities were overlooked." Read the review here.
JOHN MCDONOUGH
DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE
★★★★★ "An intimate glimpse into the creative processes of jazz." Read the review in the January 2021 edition.
RICHARD S. GINELL
SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE
"While the other outtakes from Time Out are closer to the polished official takes, those who know the finished album will find plenty of new things to savor. " Review here.
STUART NICHOLSON
JAZZWISE MAGAZINE
★★★★★ Read the review in the December 2020/January 2021 edition.
JOHN CHACONA
POSTGENRE
"Of course, treasure hunters don’t publish maps. And the fact that the Brubeck family created a label to release Time OutTakes promises more where this came from. That’s good news." Read this review here.
GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO
THE NEW YORK TIMES
CRITICS PICK. "An album of previously unheard recordings from the “Time Out” sessions in 1959 reveals the making of a masterpiece." Read the feature review here.
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C. MICHAEL BAILEY
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"Tuneful, enlightening, and welcome: Time OutTakesproves very special." Read this review here.
NATE CHINEN
WBGO
“Ever the musical globalist, Brubeck drew inspiration from a 1964 tour of Japan — swiftly recording the album Jazz Impressions of Japan, whose standout theme is “Koto Song.” Brubeck’s delicate pianism is meant to evoke the 13-stringed national instrument of Japan, and Desmond matches the mood with some exquisite work on alto saxophone.” Read this article here.
MIKE JURKOVIC
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"It's the stateliness of the old vs. the looseness of the outtake and the more natural ease of Desmond and Brubeck's solos that make it a flip of the coin..The wonderfully spliced bits of band banter that make up the final track add terrifically to the overall ease of the entire disc." Read the album review here.
ÉTIENNE DORSAY
JAZZ MAGAZINE
THE CHOC AWARD - "..there inevitably existed somewhere in the Columbia archives different versions of these titles as inventive as they were timeless, which made millions of people love jazz around the world... Ten years later, our thirst for curiosity is finally sealed." Read the full review in the Dec/Jan 2021 issue of Jazz Magazine.
JEROME WILSON
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
Read the full 'Archival Finds' article here.
RICHARD KAMINS
STEP TEMPEST
"'Time OutTakes' serves as both a reminder of how the Dave Brubeck Quartet was one of the rare jazz ensembles to reach many different audiences and how much the four members of the group enjoyed each other's company and talents. Historically important? Yes! Fun? Very much so! A welcome addition to the Brubeck discography." Read the review here.
TOM HENRY
TOLEDO BLADE
"This isn’t an attempt to make something out of scraps left on the cutting room floor; to the contrary, it has extended solos from the session’s two most famous songs, “Blue Rondo a la Turk,” and, of course, “Take Five” that are simply mesmerizing." Read this review here.
PHIL FREEMAN
STEREOGUM
"The original is still a must-hear, but this is a fascinating bonus version." Read the article here.
BILL KATES
BILL'S MUSIC BLOG
"Listening to these different versions of such familiar and iconic fare is positively revelatory. It's almost like a concert in which they play the album in track order, but each song is played a little differently. Many thanks to the Brubeck family for making this recording possible." Read this article here.
DAVID LUHRSSEN
SHEPHERD EXPRESS
"With unusual rhythms and chord progressions, the music was pathfinding then and remains outstanding for the cool aplomb of the performances as well as the compositions." Read this review here.
ADRIAN PALLANT
AP REVIEWS
"After all these years, and admittedly with a good measure of nostalgia, to hear those Time Out tracks 'disrupted' by 'new' improvisations and detail sends and involuntary tingle down the spine.. particularly for fans, this turning back of the clock to the 1959 studio — with interesting CD-booklet insights from the family, both on the pieces and the players' characters — feels pretty special." Read this review here.
BILL KOPP
MUSOSCRIBE
"The album is an integral part of any serious – or casual, for that matter – jazz collection." Read more here.
PHILIP CLARK
THE WIRE
"A treat to hear." Full review here.
JOSEPH NEFF
THE VINYL DISTRICT
"The record’s perseverance is exactly why these outtakes are so worthwhile, as they present a fresh twist on sounds that are long interwoven into the cultural fabric. The playing is as impeccable as expected, but more importantly, the distinctiveness of these versions becomes quite clear.." Read this article here.
MORGAN ENOS
DISCOGS
“No matter what lane a jazz musician occupies, they must know how to swing and play the blues, and Brubeck did both masterfully.” Read the full feature here.
ALLEN MICHIE
THE ARTS FUSE
"Time Outtakes is a very good album and a valuable addition to your Brubeck collection." Read more here.
ALAN YOUNG
NEW YOUR MUSIC DAILY
"..the fun they’re having is irresistible. And it’s no less insightful to witness how they went about making history with it." Read this review here.
SCOTT YANOW
LA JAZZ SCENE
"Time OutTakes is an important addition to Dave Brubeck's large discography and is particularly recommended to those who have memorized all of Time Out. " Read the review here.
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JIM HYNES
GLIDE MAGAZINE
"Time Out captured Brubeck and his quartet at a point of peak artistic excellence and exploration. Experimenting with odd time signatures, improvised counterpoint, polyrhythm and polytonality, Brubeck retained a soulful and playful nature to his music that captivated audiences worldwide." Read the album review here.
LANCE LIDDLE
BEBOP SPOKEN HERE
"If you haven't got the original - or even if you have - these alternative takes are well worth having, As an added bonus there's a few minutes of banter between the musicians as Morello tries to nail the tempo. even the greats are human!". Read this article here.
MAC RANDALL
JAZZTIMES
The pianist's final studio recording, Lullabies, is out Nov. 6, followed by a collection of outtakes from the 1959 Time Out sessions on Dec. 4. Read this article here.
CHRIS MAY
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"Time Out has become so familiar to us that the magnitude of its greatness has become near inaudible." Read this article here.
MATT SILVER
WRTI RADIO
"It’s this outtake of “Take Five” that provides the most revealing insights into the quartet’s humility and clear-eyed approach to making the adjustments that would best serve each tune and the album’s aesthetic as a whole." Read the full review here.
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DAVE CANTOR
DOWNBEAT
Check out the premiere of "Blue Rondo" here!
THOMAS CONRAD
TIDAL
Read this feature here.
NEWSDESK
MODERN DRUMMER
Time Out became the first jazz album to sell over a million copies, and “Blue Rondo a la Turk” and “Take Five” began to appear on jukeboxes throughout the world, propelling Brubeck’s name to one that signified exploratory innovation, deep appreciation for disparate music cultures, and a fresh sound in jazz music. Read this article here.
DEE DEE MCNEIL
MUSICALMEMOIRS
"The group sounds brand new and reflects the innovation and integrity of each individual player, as well as the amazing composing skills of Dave Brubeck..The Dave Brubeck Quartet changed the concept of jazz in their own unique way; each member becoming a true American icon." Read this review here.
MIKE SHANLEY
SHANLEY ON MUSIC
"Time OutTakes, released within days of what would have been Brubeck's 100th birthday, presents something that the general public has never heard since Time Out's original 1959 release - alternate takes of that album's music." Read this review here.
GERROD HARRIS
SPILL MAGAZINE
"While not exceeding the timelessness of the original, Time Outtakes is a strong companion to Time Out that further expresses the musicality and songwriting of The Dave Brubeck Quartet at their quintessential peak." Read this review here.
GEORGE MODESTIN
JAZZ 'N' MORE
"This selection - eight examples from over twelve hours of preserved material - acts like a time capsule that leads you back to the creation of one of the most popular albums in jazz history." Read this article in the Jan/Feb 2021 issue of Jazz 'N' More magazine.
MATT MICUCCI
JAZZIZ
Read this article here.
JACK KENNY
JAZZ VIEWS
"These outtakes emphasize clearly what made this creative quartet successful: Desmond with his melodic ease, Brubeck with his constant rugged improvisations, Morello with his varied approach to percussion and Gene Wright underpinning it all with rhythmic grace." Read the full review here.
CHARLES WARING
MOJO
"Unheard alternate version of jazz pianist's classic 1959 LP proves revelatory." ☆☆☆☆ Read the review here.
ARSENIO ORTEZA
WORLD MAGAZINE
Read the article here.
MATTHIAS KIRSCH
GINALOVESJAZZ.COM
"A wonderful reminder how incredibly brave and utterly innovative “Time Out” was and still is." Read the review here.
GUILLAUME SCHNEE
FIP
"With these new improvised and unpublished versions of the standards Take Five, Blue Rondo a la Turk and Three to Get Ready, there is a strong moment in the history of jazz being offered to us" Read the full article here.
RON HART
SPIN MAGAZINE
"Time OutTakes unearths an hour of recently discovered material from the 1959 album that defined Brubeck and his classic quartet." Read the SPIN 2020 Holiday Gift Guide article here.
RON SIMPSON
THE JAZZ RAG MAGAZINE
"It's the most important record in Brubeck's career.." Read the full feature article in the Spring 2021 issue of The Jazz Rag Magazine.
ANDREW GILBERT
EAST BAY EXPRESS/MERCURY NEWS
“The album offers a fascinating look at the making of one of jazz’s most popular recordings.” Full feature here.
RICHARD S. GINELL
SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE
"It’s great that this much is now available to all — and the sound quality, even from a stream, is excellent." Read the full article here.
BRIAN PAYNE
JAZZ JOURNAL
"These outtakes provide a new lens through which to appraise the music. Invariably the alternatives are as riveting as those chosen for the original release." Review here.
KEN WAXMAN
JAZZWORD
"Time OutTakes’ fascination lies in its preservation of an alternate take on history. Accustomed tunes are here, but performed just little differently than the versions entrenched in collective memory." Review here.