Dave Brubeck

Wow it saddens my heart to hear that a great man has departed. I enjoyed his concert two years ago in chicago. take five will always be the tune

Thank you for Take 5; What a great piece of work

God Bless you Mr. Brubeck. You were one of the musicians who helped turn me on to Jazz.

Take...the long way home. Rest in time.

In 1991, I came across some symphony orchestra stage layouts, different from what we'd seen at the Hartford Symphony. I sent them to the new music director, Michael Lankester. He acknowledged them with a cordial note. At the end of the subscription season, we went backstage to wish the maestro our best. I reminded him of what I'd sent. He, of course, recalled, knowing we were The Jumping Frog, a used & rare bookstore in Hartford. He asked, Do you do book searches? Sure, I said. He3 then asked us to locate a copy of P G Wodehouse's novel Joy in the Morning, which he had read as a youth in England. He added that he needed it as his gift to the composer of a piece of music of the same name, composed for the 25th Anniversary Celebratory Concert for the University of Connecticut Health Center, in June. I assured him we could likely get a copy. As an afterthought, I said, Where shall we pick up our tickets in exchange? After some asides to his assistant, he said we could of course pick up our tickets at will-call the evening of the concert. In due course, the book was delivered. Anticipating the off-chance I'd be able to corner Brubeck, I brought some memorabilia for him to autograph. In one, a copy of TIME Magazine from 1954, featuring Dave on the cover, was an article indicating his wife was named Whitlock. MY wife's name is also Whitlock, and they were both from Connecticut. They may be distantly related. On concert evening, we picked up our tickets and were delighted to have also enclosed, an invitation to the post-concert reception for Dave Brubeck. After a stirring performance of the world premiere of the Bruback piece, followed after intermission by Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, we went to the reception area. Almost immediately, I saw Mr Brubeck and approached. My opening line, after introductions, was You know, we have something in common. We're both married to Whitlocks. He was delighted to hear at and directed my wife to his wife, standing a few yards away. After cordial chatting, we saw Maestro Lankester rushing up, excited to tell Mr Brubeck that I was the one who'd located the Wodehouse. In all it was a memorable evening, made moreso by the Brubecks' friendliness. He was a genuine individual, unaffected by fame. We shall cherish his music and his memory. Play a set, cousin-in-law, for those you meet from now on.

As a high school kid I listened to DJ Symphony Sid on Boston's old WILD radio station. Sid was a Brubeck believer who turned us all on to "Take Five". Hats off to Dave Brubeck and his legendary quartet!

One of the GREATS,one of the reasons I am a jazz fan for last 50 years.

It was my honor to have been at Severance Hall 2 years ago celebrating the 90th Birthday of Mr. Brubeck. I was among the lucky people singing Happy Birthady to him. I grew up with his wonderful music. Will miss you Mr. Brubeck. You made the world better with your legacy.

To the Brubeck family,

I am sure you have -- and will -- hear from many how much pleasure Dave's music has brought to the world. Thank you, Dave, and to your family I extend my sincere condolences while also celebrating a live well-lived. Dave's work will live on forever! (And what a collaboration with the great Paul Desmond! Two giants!)

Listening to "Take Five" for the first time when I was a kid got me hooked onto jazz. I played tenor sax in the jazz ensemble all throughout high school and while I don't actively play now, I still get chills every time I hear your music. Rest in peace Mr. Brubeck. You are going to be greatly missed.