nimrod: Thanks for posting that video. It's one of the best I've seen over the years. I love the fullness of the superb sound quality.
It is clear that Mr. Brubeck is improvising and using subtle dynamics and empty spaces to create very interesting effects on the piano. I like how his left hand plays an odd sort of dark accompaniment in contrast to a rather bright right hand composition. I think he could hear the reverberation on the dark side of the notes. He definitely wasn't playing a cover of his song.
Mr. Morello's cymbal playing really adds sort of a windy open atmosphere which greatly enhances the tune. He seems to have perfect time (kind of like a human metronome). I don't know how many drummers consciously think about the time component because I think many are distracted by the flashy stuff like rolls, accents, and fills (as well as cymbal crashes). Having perfect time is a special gift. If you have it, you may not at all be aware of it. Only astute listeners will pick up on it. Some will simply appreciate the song more but not necessarily know why they do.
That ride pattern which opens the tune is simply magical. It looks like the sticks are playing all by themselves.
No, Jazz is not easy to play. IMO you have to be really good and technically trained. You need to know as much about music as you possibly can. Yes, people will always disagree over matters of education and formal training but I'd rather have a surgeon operate on me who has credentials than one who taught himself how to do surgery.
I wish I could have remained a drummer as I got older but life's circumstances dictated what I could and had to devote my time to.
To the World: You missed out on hearing a great drummer, None other than the Great Loco Mo! Sigh - well, at least you had the Beatles and tkitna for that matter!