How Dave Brubeck's Time Out Changed Jazz
Briefly

The latest video essay by Polyphonic delves into Dave Brubeck's influential jazz album, offering a fresh take on music that often feels ubiquitous. It highlights the historical role of American jazz musicians as cultural ambassadors during the Cold War, addressing complex issues like racism while promoting American music abroad. The essay also touches on Brubeck's exposure to diverse musical influences during his tours, which greatly shaped his sound, particularly the incorporation of polyrhythms and folk elements. This exploration aims to recontextualize a classic album through a modern lens.
The video explores the cultural impact of American jazz musicians as ambassadors, highlighting how jazz critiqued America's racist history while promoting its musical culture.
Brubeck's polyrhythms were influenced by folk music he experienced during his tours, leading to innovative compositions like 'Blue Rondo a la Turk' which showcased his global inspirations.
Read at Open Culture
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