Music Hero: Dave Brubeck

Dave Brubeck, whose autographed portrait by Willy Haroutounian hangs in my studio, died December 5 at age 91. This Washington Post story articulates the impact of his unique talent, as does this column by E.J. Dionne Jr. Though I heard him only twice in person, I loved listening to his LPs, “Time Out” and “Time Further Out.” I also taught pieces from his 1958 collection for young pianists which featured songs about all the countries he visited in Asia and Europe. For his wide-ranging interests, his innovation, his humanity, I call him my musical hero.

2 Responses to "Music Hero: Dave Brubeck"

Martha says:

December 12, 2012 at 12:35 pm

12-12-12, Waxahachie, TX
Dear Martha, I want to tell you about the times I heard Dave Brubeck in person. The first was during my freshman year at Rice, probably in Spring, 1955. I joined a group of fellow dorm-mates who were going to the old Music Hall in downtown Houston. I bought a high-up balcony seat for myself. The others bought much more expensive seats in the orchestra section, and teased me for sitting in the cheap seats. The place was about half full and when Brubeck came on the stage, he scanned over the audience and called out, “Hey, we don’t need to be so spread out in here; why don’t you folks up in the balcony just come down here and sit with the rest of us.” Several dozens of us jumped from our seats, headed down the stairs and complied with his generous invitation. Thus in that barn-like hall he achieved a more intimate and appreciative audience. My buddies were very peeved at me.

The quartet proceeded to play beautifully, and it set the standard for me as the jazz style that I have liked for the rest of my life. The other member of the ensemble that I remember was the saxophonist, Paul Desmond. I greatly admired his work, and have scorned other sax players who just wail and whine with their instruments. A few years ago I heard the aged Brubeck in Vienna with another group, but with the same pleasant, easy sounds. Thanks for your music, and God rest you, Dave Brubeck.

Love, Joel

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Elizabeth Lodal says:

June 5, 2013 at 3:56 pm

Martha, I was lucky enough to see and hear Dave Brubeck and his Jazz Ensemble perform while I was in high school around 1960. I went as a delegate of the New Mexico Conference (Yes, Ft. Stockton, Texas, was in the New Mexico Conference of the Methodist Church) with the Methodist Youth Fellowship to Purdue University for the National MYF Assembly. Each morning during the one week conference began with a worship service in Purdue’s enormous Auditorium. I’ll never forget the sight and sound of seeing the Dave Brubeck Quartet rise from below the stage on a circular platform that lifted them above the main floor of the stage. There they stayed and played accompanying at least 6,000 young people as we sang and listened in awe each day. Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the worship speakers during the week. I also went into Chicago and saw my first live musical, “The Music Man”. So it was quite an eye-opening trip and introduced me to the fabulous music of Dave Brubeck! Elizabeth

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