Dave Brubeck and the Face of God
15. Jan, 2010 
5 Comments
Each year I make it a point to watch the Kennedy Center Honors which take place in December and are broadcast a couple of weeks after the ceremony. I always learn something and each time I enjoy the tributes paid to the artists in words and performances. It’s a moving thing to see people honored for their work. The recipients are usually flanked by family and tears and smiles flow freely.
Among the honorees this year was one of jazz music’s most celebrated composers and pianists, Dave Brubeck. You can review some history on Brubeck here. You can also visit lala.com, type in his name and listen to a wide range of his work. His most well know piece is “Take Five” penned with his long time collaborator, alto saxophonist Paul Desmond.
So why Brubeck and the face of God? Well, let me set this up a bit. For as long as I remember now I have thought of God the Father as one who takes delight in His children. We who have been made sons and daughters of God by virtue of Christ’s work are a joy to God’s heart! My children are grown now but I remember clearly the early days in each of their lives when the intense desire to please was so evident. “Daddy watch! Daddy look!’ At ball fields, swiming pools, school assemblies and the front door it was their delight to show off and my joy to recognize them. I trust that more often than not they saw the light in my eyes and the deep love I held for them. As a worshiper, I often feel that the same scene is being played out. Father look! Father listen! Here’s my song.. my words.. my heart.
As Brubeck was being honored at the Kennedy Center, the Dave Brubeck all-star quintet was introduced. The quintet, backed by the Jazz Ambassadors of the U.S. Army Field Band, were spot on, playing a flawless rendition of “Take Five.” Then something amazing happened.
I’ve included the video of the performance below and you have to watch it to appreciate what happens. In the video (it’s HD, so let it load and enjoy) Dave smiles with appreciation and affirmation as the quintet and the Jazz Ambassadors play. After “Take Five” at the 3:00 mark in the video, they launch into “Blue Rondo à la Turk.” At 3:23 in the video the announcer says:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the four sons of Dave Brubeck.”
A panel slides away. The boys are playing along with the entire ensemble. Camera cuts to Dave Brubeck’s face. Now if you lip read you can tell Dave has a salty tongue but look at his face.
Tears come to my eyes. That look. That’s a Father’s look. That’s something the other guys, as good as they are, will never see. It’s reserved for his boys and it’s heart felt, deep, passionate, tender and proud. For the entire rest of the performance his engagement is elevated to a whole different level.
Dear worshiper, that is the look God reserves for you. Around the clock he is praised and magnified by hosts of angelic pros that never miss a beat, screw up the lyrics or sing off key. Does He smile? Is He expressionless? I don’t know. What I do know is that in the moment I saw Brubeck look at his sons, I felt in my heart, the Spirit saying “that’s how the Father looks at you.”
Your heart, your offering, your song, your words… filled with the discordant notes of sin and self, are transformed by the blood of Christ into something that fills the Father’s heart with joy and He invites you to come boldly into His presence. It’s the only look that matters, and it’s one of inexpressible love.
Jeff, this is exactly what I am writing about in my new study! You nailed it! Wow, thank you sharing this awesome and poignant word-picture with us!
Thank you Jeff. You have blessed me since I was a freshman sitting in the occasional Vespers service at ORU. this week has been really hard, one of the hardest of my life, especially the 7+ yrs at Hope. Today, especially as I chose NOT to take the 1st available flt to Haiti as the Lord needs me more here next week. There will be other ministry trips…at least if this past year is any indication. And yet, my heart yearns for our indigenous Haitian leadership and our orphans. I am blessed that I can rest in His wisdom, sovereignty and Love. You were His instrument to bring peace to me today.
Blessings to you and your family.
Interesting observation. I’ve always been fond of Brubeck and his music. I was glad to read your perspective on the award show. I’m not surprised as Dave has always been a respectable man and, in my opinion, too often an overlooked jazz pioneer.
I remember stories my father told when in art school in Philadelphia and the Brubeck Quartet coming to town and playing an impromptu performance at the art school…he was promoting his jazz gospel! We’re talking the late 40’s.
I remember listening to the Brubeck Brothers back in the early 70’s. My father attended a concert and bought two LPs. One was “Brother, the Great Spirit Made Us All” and the other, “Two Generations of Brubeck.” Judging from the first title, Brubeck is a Creationist…another source of fondness for the man!
Little did I know, I’d have several run-ins with the Brubeck institution in the late 70’s, and then another one just two years ago.
While in college, I attended a clinic by Brubeck’s long time drummer, Joe Morello (drummer on the famous Take Five recording). Ironically he stressed the importance of sight-read a chart every day. It’s ironic because he had become legally blind…so he said he made his seeing-eye dog sight read every morning! (I suppose that was Joe’s method of paper training the dog).
Later, within a two year stretch (78 & 79), I happen to study with two other drummers Brubeck used and recorded with; Alan Dawson and then Randy Jones. And as it turned out, Blue Rondo a la Turk was among the pieces in my senior recital. Can anybody tell me the time signature of this Brubeck classic (without looking it up online)? Take a listen.
But later, in 2007, I had dinner with Dan and Chris Brubeck, Dave’s drummer son and bassist/trombonist/pianist son respectively. Very fine people, good musicians, and a delight to spend an evening with.
So I’ve had an unmerited indirect connection to the jazz pioneering man’s musicians and family, though I’ve never met Dave himself. I’d love to, and am glad he was recognized the other night after a lifetime of respectable, creative, original music.
Lastly, a trivial tidbit. Take Five, written by the sweet-sounding alto man, Paul Desmond, was the first jazz recording to sell a million records. That may not sound like a lot by today’s numbers, but bear in mind, Take Five was released a half century ago! And, typical of jazz (musically pushes the boundaries) and Brubeck (explored odd meter approaches) it was out of the ordinary. It's in 5/4!
Thanks Scott – always enjoy discovering new bits of your history in this genre!