Brubecks Play Brubeck
As The Guardian’s jazz critic John Fordham once wrote, “Few jazz musicians make it into the pop charts, even fewer for instrumental music of such coolly labyrinthine grooves that audiences could barely shake a leg to it.”
However, in the 50s and 60s, the late California-born pianist and composer, Dave Brubeck, did just that, with what would become the biggest-selling jazz single, Take 5, taken from his classic 1959 LP Time Out.
Brubecks Play Brubeck - which features Dave’s sons Darius, Chris and Dan, plus the outstanding UK sax star, Dave O’Higgins - perform material created by one of American music’s all-time greats - a visionary who made the music speak to millions without selling its fearless spirit down the river.
Critics and audiences alike respond to the personal involvement, musical interplay and joy on stage as the group showcase Dave’s adroitness at producing tunes for the head, heart and feet.
The group was originally formed in 2010 for a one-off tour to coincide with Dave’s 90th birthday and the broadcast of a Clint Eastwood produced film about his career, In His Own Sweet Way.
However, such was the response and enthusiasm that the quartet released a live CD in 2011, and continue to perform annually and internationally, notably appearing at such famous venues as the Brubeck Festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, Ronnie Scott's - and now here, in an exclusive Eastern region date.
Pianist Darius, the eldest Brubeck son, is also a composer and academic, while Chris is known as a composer of symphonic works performed by leading orchestras around the world, and also excels as an electric bass and trombone player in jazz, rock and folk music.
Together, Chris and Dan form the nucleus of their US group, The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, while Dan also leads his own band in Vancouver and is a Grammy-nominated percussionist, with past credits that range from Gerry Mulligan to Larry Coryell.
Dave O’Higgins first came to national attention in the UK as a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, and since then has toured worldwide and recorded 14 albums as leader of groups ranging from quartets to big bands.
He initially performed with John Dankworth and Cleo Laine and later played with Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Smith and Ronnie Scott’s Allstars. He also tours with the BBC Big Band and was a long-standing member of groups led by Kyle Eastwood and Jamie Cullum.
“Darius, Chris and Dan, augmented by British saxist Dave O’Higgins, are rekindling the old magic. The four cantered affectionately through the hit list, but shrewdly didn’t try to clone the original sound.” - John Fordham, The Guardian.
“Darius and his brothers cued in the audience’s handclaps on Unsquare Dance. More than half a century after their father invited listeners to start counting in odd numbers, the music has lost none of its poise.” - Clive Davis, The Times.
Tickets: £20 / £18 concessions
Sorry, the Jazz Express offer does not apply to this concert
Doors 7.0pm, starts 7.30pm
