Metrical Experimentation

Abstract

A fundamental characteristic of Dave Brubeck’s Time Out album is that it eschews common meter, which had long formed the temporal basis for jazz. This chapter takes stock of this central aspect of Time Out. A judicious appraisal of Brubeck’s work with unusual meters and rhythms must be informed by several considerations. First, by 1959 Brubeck had been interested in metrical experimentation for more than two decades. Second, Brubeck’s fascination with the temporal aspects of jazz continued in four additional albums during the 1960s. Finally, Brubeck’s enduring legacy rests on his unique ability to pursue this progressive musical agenda while simultaneously achieving broad popular appeal.