Dave Brubeck

At the height of its fame in the late ’50s and early ’60s, the Dave Brubeck Quartet was hailed by fans and panned by pundits, an age-old story of popularity breeding critical contempt. Time typically erases such ironies, and often, as in Brubeck’s case, the full force of influence becomes even more celebrated as the years pass. Back then, Brubeck’s determined exploration of unconventional time signatures and rhythms marked a sharp contrast to the floating modality of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Today, Brubeck’s landmark 1959 release Time Out is recognized for the genius it exhibits, finding equal footing with Kind of Blue and Giant Steps in terms of its profound influence on the jazz aesthetic. Brubeck is also a prolific composer, bringing his jazz background into the concert hall with numerous full-scale orchestral works, a musical, a pair of ballets, an oratorio and countless small-ensemble pieces to his credit. At 82, Brubeck remains an outspoken champion for jazz education in public schools, and his active performing and recording schedule not only highlights the continuing demand for the legendary pianist and composer as a performer, but also reveals his incredible stamina and ageless appeal.