Brubeck, Dave

American pianist, composer, and bandleader.

From the description of Typewritten letter signed, dated Wilton, Conn., 1 August 1999, to Joan Peyser, 1999 Aug. 1. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270992201

David Warren "Dave" Brubeck (b. 1920), jazz pianist and composer, has enjoyed wide public acclaim in a career that spans the entire second half of the 20th century. A California native, he was early identified as an important proponent of the so-called "West Coast sound," a jazz style of the 1950s noted for its restraint, lyricism and use of devices borrowed from classical and world music traditions. Having become convinced that phonograph records were the key to wide success, Brubeck co-founded Fantasy Records (1949) and began issuing recordings of his work with the Dave Brubeck Trio, which included percussionist Cal Tjader. Brubeck later formed a quartet featuring alto saxophonist Paul Desmond and the two continued their partnership for more than sixteen years (1951-1967), producing more than thirty recordings, including the best-selling single jazz number of all time, "Take Five." Because of Dave's antipathy for the nightclub environment, his Quartet pioneered, and to a large extent created, the university jazz concert circuit. After 1958, when the group toured Europe, Asia and the Near East for the U.S. State Department, their reputation extended to much of the rest of the world. From 1968, Brubeck devoted much of his time to the composition and performance of extended works, often employing the resources of a large chorus and symphony orchestra, and incorporating a blend of fully-notated and improvised elements.

From the description of Dave Brubeck collection, 1920- (University of the Pacific). WorldCat record id: 43211358

American jazz composer.

From the description of Dave Brubeck letter to Look magazine, 1955. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 649707647

Biography / Administrative History

Dave Brubeck is a world-renowned pianist and composer of jazz and classical music. Brubeck has been performing professionally since the 1930s and continues to tour the world. The Brubeck Quartet embodied the sound of "West Coast jazz" and was one of the most popular bands in the world during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1959 the Quartet released the groundbreaking album Time Out, which featured jazz performed in unusual time signatures. One of the tunes from this album, "Take Five," became the best selling jazz single in history.

Throughout his career, Brubeck has been a pioneer in exploring musical approaches such as polytonality (playing multiple keys within the same tune) and polyrhythms (playing multiple rhythms within the same tune). Although best known as a jazz musician, Brubeck's compositions include large-scale choral and orchestral works in a classical tradition. In addition to his musical achievements, Brubeck is also known for his life-long support of human rights and social justice.

From the guide to the Brubeck collection, ca. 1890-, ca. 1945-, (University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Dept. of Special Collections)