Artist: Dave Brubeck Quartet Album: Music From West Side Story

Year: 1986
Duration: 0:0-1

West Side Story Meets Jazz: A Critical Review of Dave Brubeck Quartet's 'Music From West Side Story'

When one thinks of jazz geniuses, Dave Brubeck is a name that quickly comes to mind. His impressive career spanned over six decades and he was a musical pioneer who pushed the boundaries of jazz. With his quartet, he produced many notable albums, one of which is 'Music From West Side Story.' In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at this album, its history, the music genre it represents, and the most innovative parts of it.

Before delving into the album itself, let's take a brief look at the history of Dave Brubeck. Born in Concord, California in 1920, Brubeck established himself as a pianist and bandleader in the 1940s. He became best known for his distinct style of jazz that combined complex rhythms and classical influences. He went on to release over 60 albums with his quartet, including 'Time Out' which included the iconic track 'Take Five.'

Now, onto 'Music From West Side Story.' This album was released in 1962 and included jazz interpretations of songs from the Broadway musical 'West Side Story.' The album received praise for its innovative approach and the quartet's musicianship. The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013.

The music genre of this album is clearly jazz but it also incorporates elements of classical music, as was Brubeck's signature style. While the songs are derived from a musical, this album strays away from the traditional Broadway sound and puts a jazz twist on it. The album features upbeat jazz renditions of songs like Something's Coming and Maria with complex time signatures and Brubeck's signature style of improvisation.

One of the best songs on the album is Tonight. The quartet transforms the ballad into a lively up-tempo jazz number with fast-moving pianos and horns. Additionally, the track Maria features some of the most complex rhythmic work on the album with reharmonization of the original song's chords.

The most innovative parts of this album are Brubeck's use of polyrhythm and time signatures which are evident in almost every song. For example, the tracks America and Somewhere both feature polyrhythmic elements that are not typically found in musical theatre. Additionally, Brubeck ventures into the use of unusual time signatures, such as Take Five which features a 5/4 meter.

In terms of criticism, some jazz purists may argue that the album strays too far away from the source material and that the jazz interpretation takes away from the original songs. However, Brubeck's innovative approach to jazz and his unique improvisational style make this album a testament to his musicianship and his love of experimentation.

In summary, 'Music From West Side Story' is a must-listen for any jazz or musical theatre enthusiast. Brubeck's jazz interpretations of the classic Broadway songs are truly innovative and showcase the quartet's impressive musicianship. With complex rhythms and Brubeck's use of unusual time signatures, the album is a testament to his unique style of jazz. This album is just one example of Brubeck's lasting impact on jazz and his ability to push the boundaries of musical genres.