Joe Morello Dies at 82

We lost another giant: He was so creative, so cool.


Legendary US Jazz Drummer Morello Dies at 82
Sunday, 13 March 2011

Joe Morello, the legendary jazz drummer of the Dave Brubeck Quartet popular in the 1950s and 1960s, has died. He was 82 years old.

Morello's relatives say the musician died Saturday at his home in New Jersey. A cause of death was not immediately available.

Joe Morello joined the quartet in 1956 and stayed with the group until it disbanded in 1967. The quartet experimented in unusual rhythms on a series of groundbreaking albums that earned it popular and critical acclaim.

Morello was asked to execute the challenging rhythms on such classic recordings as Take Five and Blue Rondo a la Turk.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Morello initially studied the violin before becoming a drummer in his teen years. In 1952 he moved to New York, where he played with many leading jazz musicians.

After Brubeck disbanded the quartet, Morello turned to helping young musicians and teaching them their craft.