On Tuesday, Dave Brubeck was inducted into the California Hall of Fame along with eleven
others including actors Jane Fonda and Jack Nicholson, fitness maven Jack LaLanne, musician and producer Quincy Jones, chef Alice Waters and — posthumously — Theodore Geiss (Dr. Seuss), scientist Linus Pauling, architect Julia Morgan, and Dorothea Lange, the photographer best known for documenting the human toll of the Great Depression.
Brubeck turned eighty-eight on December 6. Paul Conley of Capital Public Radio in Sacramento, California, spoke with him yesterday about the honor and about his plans. To hear the conversation and see Conley’s video of Brubeck, click here.
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
Congratulations, Dave, to both, your 88th birthday and the great honor. The video and the interview are moving and fascinating.
I saw Dave Brubeck live in concert, here in Cologne, four years ago.
When he entered the stage, I couldn’t believe what I heard as he sat down at the piano. He swung as ever, and it was a great joy to learn that he is at ease and still in full possession of his powers. Certainly a wise old man, but not at all nostalgic or sentimental.
Thanks for posting this, and a big thank you to you, Dave Brubeck for all the wonderful music you gave to the world.
I confess.. when I was in high school and all the other girls were in love with football players, I had a giant crush on dave brubeck… I still think he is a giant among men, so here’s to you, dave!!