Dave Brubeck

Dave Brubeck died today. Not too many years ago, I saw him perform live with his quartet at Sanders Theatre. He was maybe in his mid-eighties at the time. I remember being struck by the contrast between the elderly man who shuffled onto stage and the fiery, energetic performer he became when seated at the keyboard. The crazy rhythms! And those amazing chords! I consider myself very lucky to have witnessed one of the legends of 1950s jazz in person.

(Also, this photo is one of the coolest portraits ever made.)