Joe Morello - The "Take Five" Cymbal Documentary 

For anyone who wanted to hear the cymbal, check this out: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-h0rhCg0kXZA.html Thanks for all of the support! -MDS

Joe Morello came through Dallas and did a clinic at Brook Mays Music Company about 25 years ago. I was fortunate enough to get his autograph at that time and have it framed on my wall. Dave Brubeck performed at the Meyerson Symphony Center around 95 and he signed a copy of time out and an album called re Union that was released in red vinyl. I consider myself fortunate to have both of these great jazz Legends autographs! Howdy from Dallas Texas

From the very first time I heard "Take Five" in the 60's, Joe instantly became my favorite drummer. I was a drummer in a garage band at the time. I started searching for a jazz instructor immediately. I am 72 years old now and I still practice to this song. Joe has always been my inspiration.

Joe Morello was so tasteful in his playing and phrasing which set him apart from other players. I loved all the rhythms and little touches that he put into 3/4 5/4 and 7/4, he set the standard for many of us.

....the best drummer in the wolrd...

He studied with George Lawrence Stone, The author of "Stick Control". One of the best selling drum books ever : )

Morello E' il Batterista Vero Jazzista, con un swing particolare, e' UN GENIO DELLA BATTERIA ! Da notare che si e' commerciabilizzato col Take Five e nelle sale da ballo la gente ballava con 5/4 ! L'ASSOLO E' SPECIALE !!!

Well now! This came up on RU-vid and talk about fondness memories, I remember seeing and hearing him in a very intimate atmosphere, Louisville Seelbach, with Dick Sisko, Jeremy Sisko's dad. What a wonderful experience!

In my world " cool cat " belongs to Mr.Joe Morello !!! 👏👏👏👍👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞

Wonderful video and inspiring people. Joe was/is unmatched.

I was hoping to hear a demo of the cymbal.

Very cool, very nicely done, Memphis Drum Shop. As a professional educator and an amateur drummer and music lover, I love these well-made music documentaries that highlight jazz history and drum history.

Thumbs up before the video's over for the mere mention of Marian McPartland - used to love listening to Piano Jazz on the radio with her (that was the first I'd heard of her, though of course she did plenty before). EDIT: Dug it all around -- new appreciation for Joe Morello -- enjoyed the perspectives and his approach and made me "hear" the tune in a different light.

The touch....

Joe Morello could make any cymbel sound good. If I played the cymbel would not sound like Joe Morello - Unfurtunately :-)

Joe Morello > Buddy Rich

Most enjoyable, but the drummer in the picture at 5:09 is Joe's predecessor, Joe Dodge.

Joe also use paiste formula 602

And you can get this cymbal only at mycymbal.com?

What do they mean - only ONE cymbal at the recording session - he had high hat cymbals too didn't he? And how about showing the sticks also? I have always gotten the best sound out of ride cymbals with plastic tipped sticks. I remember back around the early 60s picking out another 20" Zildjian cymbal with the same tone I heard Joe using - served me well for many years.

I'm guessing this is Tom Morello's dad?

Not quite my tempo.

So really, it's kind of cymbalic.

Joe Morello was one of a kind. Studied violin,then becomes one of the top 10 or 15 drummers in US history.He played music,not drums!

So beautiful. I was blessed to study with Joe from age 27-30 and stayed in touch with him and his wife until his passing. A life changing experience for me. Thank you so much, Keith MacMichael

Joe Morello has become my favorite drummer The funny thing was when I first heard Take 5 when I was 13, I didn't think he was very good because the solo was so sparse (typical teenager, all about speed). Years later, I heard him on a live recording, and it stopped me in my tracks. He had the blinding speed of Rich with an exceptional musicality unmatched by most drummers. He was one of the best yet incredibly humble, unlike my other favorite drummer.

I made the shadowbox frame for that cymbal sometime in the late 1970's, I think. Joe told me he wanted to give the cymbal to Ralph and asked me if I could make a frame for it. At the time, I was making round 10"x1" solid oak practice pads with gum across the entire surface and had access to woodworking tools. I met Greg's father, Ralph, when the Brubeck quartet was doing a concert in Boston as part of the 1974 25th anniversary Brubeck Concert tour. ( I went along to set up Joe's drums and as Joe put it, "to see he didn't bump into any walls". Joe had very limited vision and had recently lost all vision in his right eye from a detached retina. It was during this tour, somewhere on the way to Fort Wayne, Indiana when the retina in his other eye became detached as well. He played the concert that night completely blind and the next day we flew to Massachusetts so he could have it reattached. There were just a couple of days left to to on the tour, but with a retina detachment, time is limited.) Back to Ralph: he had a great voice...Joe likened it to Brace Beamer's who was radio's Lone Ranger in those "bygone days of yesteryear". Joe's interest in odd and time signatures started early. He told me he that when he was a kid he wrote a march in 41/2 / 4. That right...four and a half four. The marchers would have to skip.

The power and sensitivity in Joe's playing on take five still amazes me, every single time I hear it. It's just magical. really.

That solo, on Take Five, is one of a kind. Not complex but letting people know that there was someone worthwhile sitting behind the kit.

Joe Morello - for my money, the best hands in the business.

Back when you couldn’t tell the drummers from the accountants.

What a wonderful tribute to a guy who knew the meaning of 'heartfelt' playing dynamics.

What a beautiful story !!! The drum solo in take 5 is definitely one of the very very best in albums/CD s all time if not the very very best! Everybody should listen to it ! Mind blowing ! So cool !!! I don't know how he did it ! Lol.One of the COOLEST TUNES EVER! as well!

I recall reading decades ago that Paul Desmond, who wrote "Take Five", said that it wasn't supposed to be a hit. It was supposed to be a drum solo.

This appreciation of and tribute to Joe Morello is much appreciated. Thank you.

They left out a few interesting facts... such as Joe's transition from the violin was caused by two things: (1) He heard Jascha Heifetz play in Boston once and came to the conclusion that he could never match that sound and (2) his teacher told him to give up orchestral percussion work because his eyesight was bad and getting worse and he wouldn't be able to see the conductor soon. To the benefit of jazz! Also.. Desmond HATED the fact that Joe was going to be featured. Paul wanted a human metronome to play behind him and he threatened to quit. In his infinite wisdom, Brubeck put his foot down and said Joe's staying... get over it. And the rest is wonderful history.

I think you have your facts incorrect. Dave Brubeck himself stated that when Paul Desmond first heard Joe Morello play as a part of the quartet, Desmond stormed out of the session upset that Joe was not playing background but instead up stagging and outshining him (which is a pretty big thing to do at the time because Paul was untouchable) When Dave caught up with Paul, Desmond told him in no uncertain terms either Joe goes or I go! To which Dave answered well Paul, Joe isn't going anywhere!

One of the great drummers for sure. It has been a pleasure watching Joe Morellos masterful drumming on RU-vid. This Cymbal Doc is so cool.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1961 was the original Quartet; during their appearance at Staples High School Theatre for The Famous Artists Series Concert, Joe Morello took a marvelous drum solo, which was in 5/4 time signature ( it was Take Five ), Joe Morello soloed and in the middle Joe Morello laid down his drum sticks and kept the solo going uninterupted then playing with only his hands, and on and on, in 5/4 time, and then regained the sticks in his hands, following which was Joe Morello's signal to restate the melody when everyone rejoins the drums because of Joe Morello's unmistakable tapping of the 'ride cymbal! Then we get the cool sound of the top of the melody of Take Five with Paul Desmond's light, cool alto saxophone!!!

Thanks for this. Joe was amazing!! I love Take 5 and i listen every evening as it's on my nightly playlist. Great stuff! A true jazz masterpiece! Bravo!

I got to see an extended solo from Joe Morelo. I went to see The Dave Brubeck Quartet when I was in college but Paul Desmond was not able to attend so the remaking three did extended solos.

Great little documentary! I am realizing more and more as I age that I am so in tune with Jazz.... Jazz is an indescribable feeling and it is sad that many won't encounter the right mind state to appreciate it in their lifetime. It's like a religion.. like finding your faith in "God" .like one of those moments when one doesn't believe in god but goes through some life changing experience that cant be explained by anything other than "God" I don't believe in a god but I do believe in Jazz.

The closest I ever got was using the Ludwig Joe Morello 11A drumsticks.

So, so, good! "A flow of melodic ideas...spontaneous creativity." Man, does that describe Joe Moello or what!

I bought a red sparkle Ludwig kit back in '90 with Rodgers stands and 5 Zildjian's, one of which was a 24" ride from the early 60's, the whole kit cost me $500. I sold the whole thing for $200 a year later, I lived in an apartment at the time. When I found out what that 24 " ride was going for on e.bay 12 yrs later, I almost died. Not to mention the other cymbals (22", 18,16, and 15x2) and the kit. Never got over it, well kinda, ya have to.

Karen Carpenter modeled her drum playing on Joe Morello.

Hi Jim, I have the original "Take Five" HH's signed by Joe. Maybe someday they can be reunited. Cheers, Chet

What a terrific way to inspire future musicians, Thank you!!

Joe was a brilliant artist. But he was a great guy. Together, that makes him a wonderful human being.

so...we don't get to hear Smith, or Hamilton play that amazing, historic cymbal?... BOO

A marvelous documentary. But one question remains unanswered. Was there a hi-hat? On the photo from the studio, you might be able to see a hi-hat behind the tangle of cables (min 7:47). Is anything known about this?

You have to admit a good jazz drummer outstrips any other good drummer by a long way ... Thanks for the great joy you gave your listeners Joe!!

I have been trying to play drums for 60 years and liked some of my time trying ,But Joe is on another planet , I dont do heroes but he comes close to being one.

I have that same Ludwig practice pad he's using at 1:35. :) My parents had Brubeck's Greatest Hits on vinyl and I loved listening to Take Five and the rest of it when I was really little. When I became a drummer myself, the odd times were practically second nature thanks to that record. I even had the pleasure of seeing Dave perform a concert on his 90th birthday. I wish I'd have gotten to see Joe.

Beautiful sentiments by people who know, understand, and appreciate what happened.

So in this doc about take 5 and the cymbal you ear neither one nor the other.

I talked to the late great Lennie DiMuzzio ( artist relations person at Zildjian) about this cymbal a few years ago at PASIC. He told me Joe wanted a 19 inch ride and they didn't have any availiable so the cut down a 20. I talked to Jim Pettit about this and he said it was a 19 1/2.

What a fabulous video, thanks for putting it up✌️🌻

JAZZ É ISSO AÍ CARA, O RESTO É BAGUNÇA E ESTÓRIA. MORELLO, RUFUS, JO JONES, BELSON, KRUPA, BUDY ETC. E VIAGEM NO TEMPO E NA GLÓRIA DA VERDADERIA HISTÓRIA DE QUEM FEZ O VERDADEIRO JAZZ.

I thought that Dave Brubeck, in an interview said he had to persuade Paul, who didn't want Joe.

What a wonderful piece of history.

Had a chance to see him live in the early 60's right after I started playing. Just great. Loved the freak left hand thing, but could never get it where it was consistently accurate.But hey, he was wired to play that way and that's what Buddy liked too.Heard from a friend who hung out with Buddy that Morello and him were in the same town playing and Buddy invited Joe over to his hotel after the gig. They played on the surfaces of the walls all night much to the consternation of the people in the next room.Can you imagine?BUT he did give me his speed king BD pedal that night and signed my drumhead, so it was a great score.I played on the super light action Speedking he set up for HIS playing and that is exactly what I learned on and used for years.. I still go into his book on occasion just for the hell of it. A great talent on our instrument and a step on the ladder that all drummers must climb up upon to reach even higher levels of understanding.

Beautiful done. Class. Wow. 1965. Lansing Mich. Summer. Me and buddies are in Marshall Music on Washington Street. I'm there to get a Mastro Snare Drum My friends are getting a Vox Amp. We're wearing Mardis surfing shirts. The salesman says "hey, kids come and meet these two guys Reps. for Vox and Ludwig drums. We go to the big room and there is this guy with coke bottle glasses on a snare drum. "Kids this is Joe Morello,. I say Hi I'm the drummer." He smiles and starts doing riffs and paradiddles...and I'm speechless. I don't know Anything except that I want to be a rock n roll drummer..Ok too long the other guy was Ron ely from the Kingsmen. Serendipity. Thanks for this Video. RIP Joe thanks for the lesson.

i feel sorry for that cymbal hanging on a wall play it for god sake🥰 ps: i think noone needs more than one cymbal drummers are fetishists🥳 me too

In the sixties I gave Sydney drummer Lex Ed linger my 10 inch splash symbol I found for $5 in an antique store. Zildjian. Made in Turkey.

Does this mean black drummers didn’t care for Joe’s playing? Nice video regardless.

First time for me seeing this. Joe Morello,to me ,is the best drummer who ever lived. Did a monolog on the passing of Gene Wright on my radio show.

Musing the point the key to the song is -Eugene weaving the solid foundation eith Dave’s pisno when they established that solid connection paul snd joe were free to improvise effortlessly like high wire performers fearlessly till it became four bodies snd minds moving as one like none before 💎❤️❤️❤️❤️-1🧠

Morello is the standard which everybody else is rated. Just my Jim Gordon influenced opinion

I hate that great musical instruments don't get played. Esp ride cymbals that last forever!

Mt Rushmore of Jazz Drummers Jeff Hamilton John Riley, Steve Smith commenting on true master Joe Morello

He did not capitalized on owning his style, he freed-it-up to every one. Take it and run with it. Make it yours. Share the inspiration.

I never thought Joe Morello made this provisions with the frying pan, spaghetti fan and brushes to learn drums, he is like one of us he shows very human. 😊

the shot heard 'round the world...

Reminds me of Mel Lewis's vaunted old Zildjian A. 1950's A's are great, so are the older trans stamp A's...

Cool to know. I was under the impression that Joe was playing Paiste 602's from early on when the hit the market in about 1958. Though Take Five does not sound like a Paiste ride. This explains it.

wow

My God, this is great.

Eugene Levy did a great job in this documentary.

Great Info! Thanks! But any idea wich exact hi hats he used?

Thanks so much for this... Absolutely captivating

Melodic drummer!!! Saw him first on tv "Hulabaloo" in the Philippines back in 1965..with Dave Brubeck Quartet ...it was great...every now and then when I hear Take 5.. Joe Morello's drum sounds better and better....not showy but the drum melody absolutely great ...nothing fancy!!

What cymbal is it? An “A” or “K” or….???

Old addage amongst musicians: don't let a horn sit. Pass it on.

1:31 Fun fact: He and Eugene Levy have never been seen in a room together.

Thank you MDS for this enlightening video!

I saw the Dave Brubeck quartet backstage one time. They were very accessible .

Just a simple "thank you" for this nice video. JM was one of the reasons I wanted to learn how to play the drums as a child.

Bizarre that the music playing during and after this “documentary” has nothing to do with my old friend and teacher Joe, nor take five. What’s the deal with this, is it a sale advertisement for the cymbal, or just a memory lane/history thing? The history parts were great.

Please who knows the background song?

Just an amazing story

This video and comments are super.

It would have been nice to hear that cymbal for a few seconds at the very least!

Yeah, who doesn't LUV Joe's playing but when he died they had to pass the hat to pay his final expenses...VERY sad but TRUE!

First off, I'm no JM. However, I did learn to coax many different sounds out of my ride cymbal in my formative years. The reason was, I couldn't afford anything more than a hihat and a ride. I listened for subtleties that different stick work would produce. Quite an education. Find the music in the instrument.

Are there any pictures of the cymbal where it's hanging now? I looked on the Memphis drum shop website, they don't have any pics there. Did it go somewhere else?

Great Documentary !! Very Classy !

Watch A Video Of Take5Focus On Dave Look How He Always Turns To Look At Joe,Constantly I Hear The Song You’re Just Too Good To Be True I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You❤️

when kept searching for take 5, i kept getting dave brubeck. really, i wanted the drum solo specifically. i wish it eventually turned into: Dave Brubeck - Take Five ft. Joe Morello and yes, i just stumbled upon this gem not knowing its such a legend of a track

Thank you so much for this story--delightful genuine campfire history human story. ❤ I can say no more. OK--a little more. My name's Joe, it's Thanksgiving, I'll be 80 tomorrow, got my 1st 3 piece trap @ 16, and found a Take 5 cd at a thrift store 3 mos ago, for $1. Thanks for everything, MO! 🎉