Jazz Drummer Joe Morello, Of 'Take Five' Fame, Dies At 82

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Drummer Joe Morello, the longtime drummer with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, has died.

Raised in Springfield, Mass. with impaired vision from birth, Morello eventually found his way to New York City, where he played with many leading jazz musicians. In the 1950s, he was a regular member of pianist and NPR host Marian McPartland's band. In 1990, that band, known as the Hickory House Trio after the venue of their employment, reconvened to tape a special reunion episode of Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz.

However, Morello is best known for his tenure with Brubeck, who employed him for over 12 years during the height of Brubeck's fame. Famously, the smash hit "Take Five" was arranged as a solo feature for Morello.

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After the Brubeck quartet disbanded in 1968, Morello eventually turned to teaching, whether private lessons, clinics or instructional books. He died Saturday morning, March 12, 2011 at his home in New Jersey. He was 82.

UPDATE: Dave Brubeck has released a statement, via an e-mail from his wife, Iola Brubeck. Here it is: