Truth Is Fallen

by Dave Brubeck

Aisling Hinchey

Who was Dave Brubeck?

Career

• Known for bringing elements of classical music into jazz
• Signature style epitomized that of the “West Coast movement”
• Formed the Dave Brubeck Octet in 1947 (disbanded)
• Known for odd time signatures, improvised counterpoint, polyrhythm, and polytonality
• Formed a quartet which became nationally famous within a few months (~1950s)
• Became one of the first Jazz musicians to regularly tour and conduct seminars at college campuses

Early Life

• December 6, 1920 - December 5, 2012
• Taught piano by his mother from the age of 4
• Studied music at the College of the Pacific where he formed and led a 12-piece orchestra
• Conducted a service band in the army of General Patton during WWII
• After the war, studied composition at Mills College under the French composer Darius Milhaud

Inspiration for the Composition

Kent State Shooting

• May 4, 1970
• 4 students killed and 9 injured
• Ohio National Guard opened fire on a crowd gathered to protest the Vietnam War

Aftermath

• Student-led strike forced the temporary closure of colleges across the country
• Many believe that it changed the protest movement across the American political spectrum

Jackson State Shooting

• May 15, 1970
• 2 students killed and 12 injured
• City and state police opened fire on students rioting in response to a false rumor

Aftermath

• Lynch street, the scene of the shooting, was permanently closed
• A monument was erected to the victims
• Nixon began an investigation into both shootings, but no arrests were made

Who formed the Quartet?

“Classic” Quartet (1951-1967)

Dave Brubeck

• Piano

Paul Desmond (from 1951)

• Alto saxophone

Joe Morello (from 1956)

• Drums

Eugene Wright (from 1958)

• Bass

Truth Is Fallen Quintet

Dave Brubeck

Paul Desmond

Gerry Mulligan

• Baritone saxophone

Jack Six

• Bass

Alan Dawson

• Drums

October 30, 1971

University Auditorium, Uppsala, Sweden

Discussion Questions

• Do you think the composition was an accurate representation of the events that inspired it? What adjustments, if any, could be made to it?
• Were the protests warranted? Why or why not?
• How do you think this piece contributes to the legacy to those tragedies?

Works Cited

• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dave-Brubeck
• https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/kent-state-shooting#section_6
• https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/events-african-american-history/jackson-state-killings-1970/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IodjkKADy6c
• https://www.davebrubeck.com/biography