Remembering the Vital Force of Jazz Pianists--Dave Brubeck

"For millions of Americans who came of age in the 1950s, Dave Brubeck was jazz. His performances on college campuses, Top 40 radio play, his role as a jazz ambassador for the U.S., his picture on the cover of Time magazine — all made him one of the most recognized and recognizable musicians of the era."

"He died Wednesday morning, the day before his 92nd birthday, in Norwalk, Conn. The cause was heart failure."

"Brubeck's start in music was like the jazz he played: unorthodox. He never learned to read sheet music growing up. And he developed his chops playing in a military band for Gen. George Patton's Third Army. In the '50s he formed a quartet with saxophone player Paul Desmond that broke into the Top 40 with 'Take Five.' It was released as a million-selling single with 'Blue Rondo à la Turk' on the flip side."