On December 26, 1967, the classic Dave Brubeck Quartet (Paul Desmond on alto sax, Joe Morello on drums, and Eugene Wright on bass) gave its final concert as a group. On this occasion, they appeared in Pittsburgh, and while Columbia didn't do a recording (a studio session had taken place on the 18th, but didn't yield much that was interesting), the concert was recorded and has been made available by the Brubeck Archives. In that live recording, "The Last Time Out - December 26, 1967," the four musicians made the best out of this last opportunity to play together, in a final musical gesture that shows they were still at the top of their game. It is bound to attract the attention of Brubeck fans and jazz fans, given the fact that it marked the end of a celebrated quartet that had spanned some 18 years and given the 1960s one of its signature themes, "Take Five."

This release presents the complete long unavailable original studio album Jazz Impressions of U.S.A. (1957) by the Dave Brubeck Quartet for the first time ever on CD. This would be the first album in a series of mood LPs all titled Jazz Impressions which were inspired by different cultures and places. It would be followed by Jazz Impressions of Eurasia (1958); Jazz Impressions of Japan (1964) and Jazz Impressions of New York (1964). All of the compositions from Jazz Impressions of U.S.A. were new works by Dave Brubeck. As a bonus to this rarely heard gem, the label has added two more Brubeck tracks which have never appeared before on CD (both were issued only on separate long out of print LP compilations): 'Two Sleepy People' and 'Pilgrim's Progress'. Gambit. 2009.

The outcome of Dave Brubeck's experiments with jazz time is this album. Basically it shows the blending of three cultures: the formalism of classical Western music, the freedom of jazz improvisation, and the often complex pulse of African folk music. This recording has been mastered by the K2 HD format of 24-bit 100kHz, which creates an unbelievable sound surpassing other formats! 24-Bit/100kHz Mastering! This K2 HD Mastering CD will play on ALL CD players.

These performances by the Dave Brubeck quartet recorded in 1958 during the opening night of Newport's Jazz Festival, are an impressive tribute to Duke's music, and among the very best of the Brubeck quartet offerings. His undeniably individualistic piano is strong, assertive and imaginative, while Paul Desmond is eloquence personified, his playing full of the subtlety and taste for which he was rightly celebrated, everywhere lyrical, beautifully conceived, liquid in tone, and utterly relaxed in execution. Joe Morello's impeccable taste and invention in support and as a soloist underlines how valuable he was to the Brubeck quartet. And, with Joe Benjamin, he is part of a thoroughly relaxed rhythm section. In addition to these Newport sides, we can hear, for the first time on CD, Pilgrim's Progress, a fine tune recorded live in Stratford, Ontario, in 1956. Though Paul's opening notes evoke memories of Without a Song, the basis of this long improvisation is actually a 9 minute 16 seconds long blues in the minor mode dedicated to PLAYBOY'S favorite Playmate, Janet Pilgrim.

BRUBECK DAVE QUARTET JAZZ IMPRESSIONS OF JAPAN

A celebration of West Coast Jazz taken from 3 concerts between 1958 and 1963. Includes Pennies From Heaven; Take Five; Take the A Train; Like Someone in Love and more!

Containing the monster hit Take Five, Time Out firmly establishes the Dave Brubeck Quartet outside of the jazz world. This seminal recording is highlighted by the moody arrangements and saxophone work of Paul Desmond.