The son of a cattle rancher, Dave Brubeck is famed for re-defining jazz piano
with his unorthodox style and experimental rhythms, most famously on the classic
5:4 time signature instrumental Take Five, composed by his long-time musical
partner, sax player Paul Desmond. Intending to follow his father into ranching,
but after four years in the US Army - where he formed one of America's first
racially integrated bands, The Wolfpack - Brubeck threw himself into jazz. In
1951 he formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet with Paul Desmond, launched their
recording career in 1953 with the Jazz At...