Re-Union

In the 1950s and ’60s, few American jazz artists carried as much influence, or reached as many listeners, as Dave Brubeck. As the cooler sounds of West Coast jazz came to define the music’s public image, Brubeck proved there was a far bigger audience out there than the in-crowd alone. With his love of unusual time signatures and adventurous tonalities, he showed that ambitious, challenging music could still feel open, direct, and deeply enjoyable.

As rock & roll began to take over popular music at the start of the ’60s, Brubeck was still hitting new commercial and critical highs. He helped bring jazz to a wider audience, making it feel vital for young adults and college students without losing any of its musical depth.

One of the most honoured jazz artists of his generation, Brubeck received awards from two sitting United States Presidents. Bill Clinton presented him with the National Medal of the Arts in 1994, and Barack Obama awarded him the Kennedy Center Honors in 2009. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a lifetime achievement Grammy from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Smithsonian Medal, and honorary degrees from universities in five different countries, alongside many other honours across his life in music.

When Dave Brubeck died of heart failure late in 2012, just one day before his 92nd birthday, his life and work were celebrated around the world.