USA's Downbeat Magazine Gives Brubeck's 'Live in Poland' ★★★★

Brian Morton writes, “The warmth of reception is evident, most obviously in the reaction to “Take Five,” but also in the palpable chemistry between the group and the crowd at the Blue Note in Poznań.”

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The Darius Brubeck Quartet

Live In Poland

(Ubuntu)

By Brian Morton  |   Published May 2020

★★★★

Now and then, the circumstances around a recording are almost as interesting as the content. Darius Brubeck’s 2018 tour of Poland took place during the centenary of the country’s restored independence, but also, on the anniversary of his father Dave’s pioneering 1958 tour, the first by a Western group behind the Iron Curtain. Live In Poland feels like an extended dziekuje—or “thank you,” and the title of the folksy sixth track—to the Polish people in return. The warmth of reception is evident, most obviously in the reaction to “Take Five,” but also in the palpable chemistry between the group and the crowd at the Blue Note in Poznań. Brubeck begins “Earthrise” with huge, sonorous rolls on the keyboard, before the swinging main theme announces itself. Does Dave O’Higgins sound remotely like Paul Desmond? Of course not; there’s too much Coltrane in his makeup, but he has the ability to make the tenor sound light and supple. The sheer delight of “Matt The Cat” and Hugh Masekela’s “Nomali” rescue the set from any possible solemnity. But Darius Brubeck originals are the meat of the album, his “Sea Of Troubles” a glorious Hamlet-like soliloquy with profound blue interventions from the group.

Live In Poland: Earthrise; In Your Own Sweet Way; Matt The Cat; Nomali; Sea Of Troubles; Dziekuje; Take Five.
Personnel: Darius Brubeck, piano; Dave O’Higgins, tenor saxophone; Matt Ridley, bass; Wesley Gibbens, drums.

Darius Brubeck: Alive and Well

He was in ICU and on a ventilator for a month, but Darius is now recovering at home and we are all so thankful for Darius and his partner, Cathy.

Image by Monika S Jakubowska

Image by Monika S Jakubowska

With all the heart-breaking news in the world these days and the endless frustrations with our present situation, there is good reason to be thankful. Darius Brubeck contracted the COVID-19 virus while on tour in the UK and was admitted at Conquest Hospital in Hastings on March 19th. He was immediately placed in ICU under sedation and on a ventilator for a month. Last week, Darius was removed from critical care and this week he returned home to his lovely partner and manager, Cathy. Yesterday, Darius sent this message:

"I have been home for exactly a week today, so this is a kind of milestone. I am writing this post myself. I spend 80% of my time in bed but I know the crisis is definitely behind me and I will be ‘back’ someday. I am profoundly grateful for messages from you all that Cathy read to me every day. In sport they say the crowd can make the difference between winning and losing, so you inspire me to do as much as I can to fulfil your generous wishes on my behalf. To this I add that it is impossible overstate my gratitude for the wonderful hospital and now post-hospital care I’ve received from the NHS, free of charge (take note America!). Cathy joins me in thanking everyone."

Miracles can and do happen. Just ask Darius. As he says, "I will be back" and we'll all be waiting for just that day to arrive. It can't come soon enough.

Our deepest gratitude goes to those extraordinary individuals at the NHS who place their lives on the line each and every day. We would be absolutely lost without you.

—Martin Hummel