When I was in Berlin, Germany in the early 90's, I had the rare pleasure of seeing Dave Brubeck in a live one-on-one 'duel' with German jazz pianist Horst Jankowski, composer of a lot of 80's easy-listening music, including, "A Walk in the Black Forest."
I remember Horst Jankowski, middle aged, just a few years past his prime, but still very much on top of his game, decked in a stylish tux, hair slicked back. He was in every way the picture of an ebullient German television show host. He and the RIAS Big Band played a couple of numbers, and they were very good. Horst is a fine pianist.
And then it was time to introduce Dave Brubeck.
At that time, I didn't really know how old he was, but he looked old, and and he looked frail. He was pale, he walked with a cane, he needed help from an assistant to get to the grand piano and get everything adjusted. Horst Jankowski sat down at the other grand piano, and flexed his fingers. I was worried for Brubeck, it looked as though he was about to topple off the bench. I prepared myself for a cringe-worthy performance.
And then, oh my.
They launched into a dizzying 'Blue Rondo a la Turk', trading melodies and solos, daring each other to more, to go further, take even riskier chances. Then 'Take Five'. Then 'It's A Raggy Waltz'. Songs in 6/8, 2/4 and 3/4 all at the same time. Polyrhythmic improvisations, crazy harmonizations. It was a bravura performance, and Jankowsi gave it his best shot, but the 70 year Brubeck absolutely took him to school, and Jankowski knew it, and the crowd knew it, and he knew the crowd knew it.
But it didn't matter.
Because he was playing Blue Rondo with Dave Brubeck. It doesn't get any better than that.
Farewell Jazz Pioneer, and consummate showman, brilliant musician. The world will never be the same.
Go in peace.