Brubeck is Back!

The Dan Brubeck Quartet returns to jazz up our community

It should be no surprise that the son of a jazz phenom and a lyricist loves playing music.

Brubeck is one of four sons of jazz musician Dave Brubeck and his wife Iola who went on to become professional musicians. Dan says that music has always been a part of his life.

"I started playing when I was about three or four years old and I’m 70 now, so my life would be completely different without it."

In 2013, Brubeck's band was nominated for a Juno in the category of best jazz vocal CD, featuring lyrics written by his mother.

"My mom was a lyricist and I wanted to do a recording that featured her lyrics on my dad‘s songs. Her lyrics have been performed by Carmen McRae, Lambert, Hendrickson, Ross, Louis Armstrong and others."

"She was an amazing writer who never really got a lot of recognition except for with the people that she worked with. Once in a while, I get great gratification out of someone saying to me 'My God, I heard your mom‘s lyrics on a song, and wow what an incredible wordsmith she was.'"

Dan Brubeck has a home on the Sunshine Coast, and when he's visiting the area, he's happy to bring his unique sound to Lions Bay.

This year he will bring his Quartet back to the Village in November, and is looking forward to returning. "The settings that we have played in Lions Bay are always so beautiful and inspiring," he says. "That’s a great bonus."

In addition to his father, with whom he played and recorded from the time he was a teenager, Brubeck says he's been inspired by some talented drummers.

"When I was young, I used to watch Joe Morello all the time and was completely inspired by him. Later, my dad started working with a great drummer named Alan Dawson. I guess I could say Joe Morello inspired me and Alan Dawson taught me."

This time around, Brubeck says the audience can expect a sound very similar to his father's classic Dave Brubeck Quartet.

"We'll have Miles Black on piano, Miles Hill on acoustic bass and Steve Kaldestad on saxophone," he says, adding that this group tends to be a little more improvisational than some of the other bands he works with. "That makes it fun for me and a bit more challenging and refreshing."

He says the group plans to feature songs from the Dave Brubeck album 'Time Out', as well as playing some of his father's lesser-known compositions "to keep life interesting."

When he's not playing with this group, Dan's main gig is with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet. "That group includes my brother Chris Brubeck on trombone and electric bass, Mike DeMicco on guitar and Chuck Lamb on piano. We’ve been together for over 30 years now, and have played major venues all over the world."

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet recently played a jazz cruise that sailed from Vancouver to Los Angeles. "That was a lot of fun," he says. "If that boat had sunk it would’ve taken out half the jazz community."

On November 15, Lions Bay House Concerts is offering their one-of-a-kind music and art experience, featuring the Dan Brubeck Quartet playing their timeless jazz, surrounded by the work of four Vancouver-based artists: Angelica Montero, Catherine Sutherland, Erick Stowe and Neil Bryan.

The event will be potluck and tickets are still available HERE.

Lions Bay House Concert featuring:

The Dan Brubeck Quartet

along with the work of artists

Angelica Montero, Catherine Sutherland, Erick Stowe and Neil Bryan

Saturday, November 15, 6-9 p.m.

Lions Bay Village Hall

400 Centre Road, Lions Bay