Time for some "old skool." Take Five by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, is well known for its 5/4 time signature; however, it is less well known for being a sleeper hit. Released on the 1959 album Time Out, the song didn't reach the Billboard Hot 100 chart until 1961, which is unusual in itself when one considers that popular music in that era was quickly being dominated by rock and roll. By 1966, the time this video was recorded, you can tell from the applause that the song was well known by the audience.
Interesting facts about the Dave Brubeck Quartet: Take Five was originally written by saxophonist Paul Desmond; when he died in 1977, all future royalties to the song were donated to the American Red Cross. Dave Brubeck, who is now 87 years old, was awarded with the "Benjamin Franklin Awards for Public Diplomacy" by the U.S. State Department in April 2008 because, "as a pianist, composer, cultural emissary and educator, Dave Brubeck's life's work exemplifies the best of America's cultural diplomacy." He is currently scheduled to be inducted into the California Hall of Fame next month.
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