From the iconic groove of his Take Five to the infectious melody he composed in Blue Rondo À la Turk and beyond, Dave Brubeck was an innovative musical figure who left an indelible footprint on the history of jazz. His groundbreaking approach to composition stretched far beyond the barriers of genre, however.
This New Music Friday, PARMA is pleased to present THE VOICE OF BRUBECK, VOL. 1, a showcase of the legendary artist’s contributions to symphonic, chamber, and sacred vocal music, and explorations of new musical forms. Spearheaded by producer Arthur Gottschalk and the Lago Vista Community Concerts Foundation, this album from Navona Records offers a diverse palette of celebrated and previously-unrecorded choral and orchestral works that Brubeck regarded as some of his finest.
THE VOICE OF BRUBECK, VOL. I
Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Paul English Quartet, Houston Chamber Choir, Horace Alexander Young III
Featuring the GRAMMY® Award-winning Houston Chamber Choir alongside a 19-piece orchestra and the Brubeck Brothers and Paul English Quartets, THE VOICE OF BRUBECK, VOL. 1 carries on the legacy of the widely influential pianist and composer’s body of work so that future generations may enjoy his music for years to come.
“One of my missions in life is making sure that my father’s music is not forgotten and is always finding new ears,” says award-winning artist Chris Brubeck, son of legendary pianist and composer Dave Brubeck and one of the many shepherds of his father’s music in this release.
Before it was recorded and released on this studio album, the sacred works and standards of Dave Brubeck were performed live in concert at Rice University’s Alice Pratt Brown Hall by the same line up of ensembles. The initiative is the first of many that will occur in an ongoing series of concerts and album releases.
Brubeck Brothers Quartet: Chris and Dan Brubeck, Mike DeMicco, Chuck Lamb
Horace Alexander Young III
Pianist Paul English
Conductor Robert Simpson, Founder and Artistic Director of Houston Chamber Choir
Chris Brubeck on Trombone
Pianist Paul English, Drummer Tim Solook
Bassist Austin Lewellen
“We hope that by presenting this music, Brubeck’s other voice can be heard and that audiences can expand their understanding of Dave as a great mind, a choral artist, and someone rooted in classical music beyond his contributions to the jazz world.”
– Brian Miller, Executive Director, Houston Chamber Choir
THE VOICE OF BRUBECK, VOL. I
THE VOICE OF BRUBECK, VOL. 1 is available to stream now. Dive in below to explore the full catalog page, including extensive liner notes from Brubeck, Gottschalk, and saxophonist Horace Alexander Young III.