Walking In Wuhan

When we moved to California, I'd told myself that if we ever had the chance to see Dave Brubeck in concert, we'd take that opportunity. Tonight, we saw his quartet in San Francisco and it was absolutely amazing. Brubeck shuffled out at 87 years old holding onto the back of his saxophonist for support. But once he sat down at his piano, Brubeck ably led his quartet through two sets in front of a packed house. The last two pieces were "Take Five," which featured an amazing drum solo that ran more than five minutes, and an extended version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

At one point, when the quartet seemed ready to join in after a bass solo, Brubeck called them off and had the crowd clapping along and wanting more. It's not often that you get to see a legend that late in their life still at the top of their game, but Brubeck is still the master when he sits at a piano.

The best part might have been out seats. We sat in the $25 general admission section and ended up in the front row above the stage about 15 feet from the quartet. Not bad.