Dave Brubeck Quartet : Jazz At Oberlin : 1953

Recorded live at Finney Chapel, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio on March 2, 1953

Dave Brubeck Quartet

Dave Brubeck on piano
Paul Desmond on alto saxophone
Ron Crotty on bass

Lloyd Davis on drums

1. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)

2. Perdido

3. Stardust

4. The Way You Look Tonight

5. How High The Moon
Time: 37:39

OJC/ Fantasy, 1953

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This 1953 performance by the Dave Brubeck Quartet was recorded at Oberlin College, a school with a renowned music conservatory that neither had jazz instruction or particularly encouraged it. However, by the enthusiastic applause of the students, it’s easy to tell that this audience was eager to embrace modern jazz.
More importantly, this live album documents the early years of Brubeck’s career. Drummer Joe Morello and bassist Gene Wright had yet to join his quartet, but instead JAZZ AT OBERLIN features spirited performances by Lloyd Davis and Ron Crotty, respectively. Brubeck (piano) and Paul Desmond (alto saxophone) are the stars of the show, and Desmond’s solos are particularly intriguing. Heavily influenced by Charlie Parker, Desmond’s playing straddles the line between the emerging West Coast “cool” sound and bebop (which itself was less than a decade old in ‘53). Five standards are heard here, and each one really allows the group to stretch. The interplay between Desmond and Brubeck on the intro to “The Way You Look Tonight” shows the strength of their collaboration, even at this early juncture. Elsewhere, Brubeck’s bold—indeed almost brash—solo on “How High the Moon” is quite a highlight. It’s apparent that this band was destined for greatness.