SYRACUSE -- Yesterday was a sad day for jazz fans worldwide, with the news of the passing of legendary jazz artist Dave Brubeck. The musician died in Connecticut, just a day short of his ninety-second birthday. Here in Central New York, hosts at WAER 88.3 went out of their way to demonstrate Brubeck's impact on jazz.
A CNYRadio.com reader who requests anonymity writes to report that, upon hearing the news, midday host Eric Cohen "played several selections from Brubeck's Quartet, as well as his sons, and others influenced by his groundbreaking style." That tribute was followed by another from evening host Jim Tobey, offering "several cuts of Brubeck's classic tunes" during the station's long-running Jazz Impressions program.
Our tipster also reminds us Brubeck last performed in Central New York five years go, when he headlined the 25th edition of the M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest in 2007.
Among the hits Brubeck is best known for popularizing is "Take Five," and you can see him on the piano in this video from 1966:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faJE92phKzI