A Study In Rhythm, A Tribute To Dave Brubeck (1920-2012) Poem by William Messent

Take Five (5/4) :
He was a great man
Our David Brubeck;
Jazz was a big hit
Late in the fifties -
First off was "Take Five".

Blue Rondo a la Turk (9/8) :
He was born in Cali-forn-i-a,
Father was a cattle manager,
Under Darius Milhaud studying,
Always with the students popular.
For, himself, he was a pianist,
Said the piano was his orchestra,
Played with bass and drums and saxophone,
Fêted by each college audience,
On stage many new songs featuring -
Pop star of the jazz age, prominent:
Album, "Time Out", sold a million.

Unsquare Dance (7/4) :
His works ever rhythmical,
Odd times were his signature:
Playing jazz was personal,
Made his concerts different -
He was in his element.
"Freedom within discipline;
Get out there and improvise! "