![]() ![]() I knew PNB had a wonderful reputation for top-notch dancers, and I also knew Peter was doing a magnificent job running the company. He was commissioning choreographers to create an evening of spirited, witty pieces designed to entertain. Peter was putting together the program for PNB’s “Laugh Out Loud!” Festival. I received a call from the incomparable Peter Boal, former principal dancer with New York City Ballet who had been recently appointed as Artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet. This music was a big part of my life growing up, and now, hardly a day goes by when I don’t listen to jazz. Other songs on that album I adored were “Blue Rondo à la Turk”, which has an unusual rhythm that consists of three measures of 2+2+2+3 and one measure of 3+3+3 then repeats, and “Strange Meadow Lark”, a beautiful ballad that starts with a piano solo and moves into a 4/4 swing. I remember Corky saying, “This is the first jazz album to sell a million copies!” That seemed like a lot to an eight-year-old girl. My older brother Corky, who had a great ear for jazz, had it in his collection and I gravitated to it even as a young child. I first heard the album Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet around the age of eight, and I listened to that record for years until I completely wore it out. I knew I was listening to something different – it was addictive. It was that time signature which intrigued me. Brubeck asked Paul Desmond to write a song in 5/4 time. Brubeck’s style was odd time signatures, improvised counterpoint, and distinctive harmonies. “Take Five” was written by saxophonist Paul Desmond and recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. They stick with me and whenever I hear them, I imagine how I would translate that song into dance. Show starts 7:30pm.There have been many songs in my lifetime that I dream I might someday have the chance to choreograph. Designated a living legend by the American Library of Congress, Dave Brubeck, the man and his music lives on and for that, we have a better world.TICKET INFO:Dinner & Show ticket - dinner is served at 6pm, pre-show, and dessert in the interval (~8:25pm). It comprised virtuoso musicians, Paul Desmond on alto sax, Joe Morello on drums and African-American double bass player, Eugene Wright, whose inclusion often caused confrontational incidents for Dave with authorities. His classic quartet performed around the globe during the 1950’s and 60’s. More than a musician, Dave was a tireless advocate for human rights and racial integration. American pianist, Dave Brubeck, was one of the foremost exponents of cool jazz. Steve Todd, drums and Quinton Dunne, double bass, join Brendan Fitzgerald Quartet for this unique music event, presented in the tenth year following Dave's passing. This ensemble comprises outstanding musicians who have performed widely in Australia, Europe and Asia. ![]() Peter Raidel, accomplished alto saxophonist, plays the elegant musical lines of Paul Desmond, Brubeck’s creative ally and sometime adversary. He also channels Jimmy Lyons, a jazz radio presenter who helped launch Dave’s career. Brendan narrates Brubeck’s story at the piano together with a projected montage of images from his life and times. Together with "Blue Rondo a la Turk", these works are identified as seminal and revolutionary expressions of a new era in music. In 1959, Dave Brubeck Quartet’s album, "Time Out" became the first platinum jazz album, while "Take Five" remains the highest-selling instrumental recording of all time. BRENDAN FITZGERALD QUARTET recreates the world of iconic jazz musician Dave Brubeck, his genius, his relationships, his humanity and popular acclaim. ![]()
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