David Warren Brubeck, legendary jazz pianist/composer and native Californian known better to the world as “Dave,” was born on December 6, 1920.  If he were still with us, he would have turned 93 years old today.  Sadly, he passed away last year just one day shy of his 92nd birthday.

Earlier in 2013, an all-star collection of jazz musicians — Al Jarreau (voice), Marcus Miller (bass), Lee Ritenour (guitar), Terri Lyne Carrington (drums), George Duke (piano) — performed a mash-up of two of his most famous works, Take Five and Blue Rondo a la Turk, as a tribute to him.

The video of that performance is below, as are videos of The Dave Brubeck Quartet performing each of the works individually:  Take Five is taken from a typical live TV performance, while Blue Rondo a la Turk rather comically depicts them playing on a magic carpet flying over Los Angeles freeways — and, in the process, getting a speeding ticket by the California Highway Patrol.  See for yourself.

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Photo credit:  courtesy of http://www.davebrubeck.com