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Dave Brubeck - In His Own Sweet Way

Profile of the influential jazz pianist Dave Brubeck as he approaches his 90th birthday, who had one of the biggest popular hits in jazz history with Take Five.

Three young men who emerged in the 1950s - Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Dave Brubeck - not only captured the public's imagination, but in their own unique way determined the evolution of jazz as we know it today.

This Clint Eastwood co-produced documentary tells Dave Brubeck's personal story, tracing his career from his first musical experiences to the overwhelming success of the Dave Brubeck Quartet and the iconic status he and his varied forms of musical expression have achieved.

It is told with contemporary interviews, vintage performances, previously unseen archive and additional performances filmed especially for the documentary. The story is also told by Dave and Iola Brubeck, both in their own words and by musical example. Contributors include Bill Cosby, Jamie Cullum, Yo-Yo Ma, George Lucas and Eastwood himself.

In 2009 Brubeck was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors, with Robert De Niro, Bruce Springsteen, Grace Bumbry and Mel Brooks. He played with his sons for President Obama at the White House, and 55 years ago became the first jazz musician to appear on the cover of Time magazine. His classic Take Five is as familiar today as in 1959 when it was a Top 10 hit all over the world.

Brubeck has an unlikely origin for a jazz giant, growing up on a ranch in Monterey, California. Monterey resident Clint Eastwood introduced Brubeck and his Cannery Row Suite at the 2006 Monterey Jazz Festival and each were so inspired by the success of the event they agreed to move forward with this full-length documentary together.

1 hour, 30 minutes

Music Played

  • Dave Brubeck

    Blue Rondo A La Turk

  • Paul Desmond

    Take Five

  • Dave Brubeck

    Unsquare Dance

  • Dave Brubeck

    Dziekuje

    • Thank you.
  • Jerome Kern

    Yesterdays

  • Dave Brubeck

    Mr Fats

  • Dave Brubeck

    Brandenburg Gate

  • Dave Brubeck

    Cable Car

  • Dave Brubeck

    Marian McPartland

  • Dave Brubeck

    Unisphere

  • Billy Strayhorn

    Take the 'A' Train

  • Duke Ellington

    Kinda Dukish

  • Dave Brubeck

    The Duke

  • Dave Brubeck

    Strange Meadowlark

  • W.C.Handy

    St Louis Blues

  • Dave Brubeck

    Koto Song

  • Dave Brubeck

    Concordia

  • Dave Brubeck

    Forty Days

  • Dave Brubeck

    Lord, Lord

  • Duke Ellington and His Orchestra

    The Shepherd

  • Jay McShann & Dave Brubeck

    Mission Ranch Blues

  • Dave Brubeck

    All My Love

Credits

Role Contributor
Executive Producer Clint Eastwood
Executive Producer Anthony Wall

Broadcasts