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Iconic Jazz Drummer Joe Morello Dies at 82
- Posted on Mar 14th 2011 10:00AM by Emily Tan
Redferns, Getty Images
The legendary drummer died on March 12 at his home in New Jersey. Although his family has not revealed the cause of death at this time, people close to the Morello have already written a special message in memoriam on his website saying, "His impact on the world of music and on all those whose lives he touched will live forever."
Throughout his 60-plus year career, Morello performed on more than 120 records -- 60 of which were with the Dave Brubeck Quartet -- and was named best drummer for five consecutive years by Downbeat Magazine.
Born on July 27, 1928 in Springfield, Mass. with partial vision, Morello started playing the violin at 6 and was a featured soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra by the time he was 12. However, after three more years of the violin, Morello traded in the strings for a drum kit. Studying with a local teacher, who encouraged him to study jazz drumming, Morello learned the genre of music among his future contemporaries in the Boston area like guitarist Sal Salvador and sax player Phil Woods.
In the 1950s, he played with the likes of Jimmy Raney, Tal Farlow, Glen Gray and was briefly a member of Stan Kenton's progressive jazz orchestra. Morello joined a trio with UK pianist Marian McPartland and released two albums with them, including 'Jazz at the Hickory House' and 'The Marian McPartland Trio.' After leaving the trio in 1956, Morello took a two-week gig with the Dave Brubeck Quartet after the band's drummer quit and remained with the group for more than 12 years.
The group disbanded in 1967, and Morello then became a teacher, holding various "drum clinics" to teach budding drummers like American session drummer Danny Gottlieb and Max Weinberg technique. He even produced a number of instructional books and videos.
Watch Joe Morello and the Dave Brubeck Quartet, 'Take Five.'
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Tim Davis
Take Five was the first jazz recoding I remember hearing. I was in high school and the song was on WNOP in Newport, Kentucky. I've been a fan of Dave Brubeck and his quartet ever since. I have many jazz albumns - some still on vinyl - and I listen to Brubeck most of all. And of all his songs, Forty Days my be my favorite but I am not sure why.
March 15 2011 at 4:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
PATTY BOYD
HA HA HA DAVE CLARK ! SO FUNNY
HEY THIS GUY LOOKS LIKE THE PILLSBERRY DOUGHBOY.
Rich
I had the pleasure of meeting Joe through Armand santarelli at the Academy of Music in Philly. What a gentleman. And the most memorable drum fill he did was....after trading several 1 measure solos with the band.....Joe decided and had the CONFIDENCE to just animate a fill without actually playing! I never seen or heard that before or again!
Joe could "see" musically what most of us never will!
God rest your soul, Joe!
Rich
johnny boy
When all the other drummers, my age, were playing to records by the Rolling Stones, etc., I was studying Joe Morello's brilliant technique with the DBQ. You can always identify his unique style, tasteful approach, and delicate attack. I was so lucky to have attended one of his clinics. Another great drummer checks out.
March 15 2011 at 12:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
djhklj
Another great Italian musical Icon passes on. Not many left of these pioneers of music. Who's next? Tony Bennet? Real name...Anthony Dominick Benedetto.I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via agegapsin gles.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends.. Just love it
Bob
Ronnie Hammond, lead singer of The Atlanta Rythym Section (ARS) died March 14.
March 15 2011 at 7:44 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Tellin_It_Like_It_Is
Another great Italian musical Icon passes on. Not many left of these pioneers of music. Who's next? Tony Bennet? Real name...Anthony Dominick Benedetto.
March 15 2011 at 5:48 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Tellin_It_Like_It_Is
Another GREAT musician from the world war 2 era has left us. There aren't many of these great pioneers left. If only the younger generation realized that the musicians they think are so great today, are nothing to these guys. They are the ones who created all the beats and rythyms that they listen to and enjoy in todays' heartless music.
March 15 2011 at 5:42 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Carl
3 replies to Carl's comment
Rest easy Joe. You were a giant.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet, with their contrapuntal rhythm were the greatest quartet *EVER*!!!
Beatles fans were never equipped with a sufficiently sophisticated ear to undertand this, and don't even talk to me about today's stupid Hip Hoppers with no musical ambiance at all.
hugh
Been playing for 40+ years but never that well or efortlessly. We looked up to Joe for his talent but also for his willingness to share it. All us drummers will miss him!
March 15 2011 at 1:04 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
18 Comments