In this episode, I had the immense joy of welcoming UNC piano professor John Salmon. John is recognised globally as one of the foremost authorities on the classical music of Dave Brubeck. This is due not only to his brilliant recordings of Brubeck’s pieces, but to his decades-long professional relationship with the jazz legend: acting as editor, arranger, musical confidant of sorts, not to mention the good friendship that they shared too. We discuss this music, its nature, its instrumental flexibility, as well as the composer’s approach to writing it. Not only have I been allowed to include some of John’s records (by the pianist), I’ve also been given access to a recording of a conversation that the two musicians had over dinner in Duisburg, Germany, 1994, which until this episode had never been shared publicly. I learnt a lot from this conversation: from Dave Brubeck’s music to jazz in general. For more information, do find me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @ZDaviesMusic. Thanks.
EDIT: I have decided that in order to stay on the happy side of the law, it is best not to include the Brubeck compositions - legally, it was just too grey for me to be comfortable. However, the extracts of Dave and John's conversation will remain. Thank for your understanding.