German broadcaster NDR has recorded the stars of international jazz since the early 1950's and taken from this archive is a superb series of re-mastered CDs featuring previously unreleased material. The second album in the series features one of the most popular jazz groups of the modern era, Dave Brubeck's Quartet, the same band which recorded "Time Out", the first jazz album to be certified platinum.
This concert performance from Hannover was recorded on February 28th 1958 when the pianist was touring as "Jazz Ambassador" on a number of American foreign ministry sponsored dates in Europe, India and the Middle East. Here an enthusiastic audience is treated to a set largely made up of material from the "Great American Songbook" but one which avoids the obvious hits and evergreens of the time. The original compositions that were performed, however, included "Drums Along the Thames", "One Moment Worth Years", a collaboration with Brubeck's wife, Iola, and "The Duke" an Ellington homage also recorded by Miles Davis.
Personnel: Dave Brubeck (piano), Paul Desmond (alto saxophone), Gene Wright (bass), Joe Morello (drums)
