Take Five

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"Take Five" is a classic jazz piece first recorded by The Dave Brubeck Quartet and released on their 1959 album Time Out. It became the first million-selling jazz single on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1961, at a time when rock and roll was still in fashion.

“Take Five” became Brubeck’s best known and signature tune, although it was composed by Paul Desmond, the group's saxophonist. It became famous for its distinctive, catchy saxophone melody and use of the unusual quintuple time, from which its name is derived. ^[1]The track also features Eugene Wright on bass and Joe Morello on drums.

The original single was recorded at Columbia's 30th Street Studios in New York City on June 25, July 1 & August 18, 1959. Dave Brubeck and Steve Race wrote the liner notes for the album.^[2]

While "Take Five" was not the first jazz composition to use this meter, it was the first of United States mainstream significance.

The song was recorded and broadcast many times by the Quartet, and there are versions by scores of artists, from Swedish singer Monica Zetterlund in 1962 to a dub version by King Tubby released posthumously in 2002. Some versions have included lyrics, including a 1961 recording with lyrics written by Dave Brubeck and his wife Iola, sung by Carmen McRae. The tune has also been included in countless movies and television soundtracks, and still receives significant radio play.

Upon his death in 1977, Paul Desmond left his rights to royalties for performances and compositions, including "Take Five," to the American Red Cross. Since that time, the organization has received approximately $100,000 per year in combined royalties.^[3]

[edit] See also

• List of musical works in unusual time signatures

[edit] References