“Or even at Brubeck.”
DB’s music more-or-less represented that whole smooth jazz/martini/Playboy Mansion aesthetic of the 60s. It was the bastard descendant of the swing bands, so to speak. In fact you can even argue that 70s groups like KC & The Sunshine Band and ELO were the final chapter in this tradition before it finally became too expensive to have large instrumental ensembles.
Speaking of ELO
Showdown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYhqlOQ1vHY
I swear, Jeff Lynne hasn’t aged a bit.