Skip to main content

An interview with the inspirational Darius Brubeck

It was a real pleasure to interview the inspirational Darius Brubeck for the latest episode of Harmonious World.

I was excited when I was granted an interview with Darius Brubeck but it rapidly became clear that there was so much more to talk about than his talented father, probably one of the most famous jazz musicians in the world.

A new film, coming to a screen near you soon, Playing the Changes - Tracking Darius Brubeck shows Dave Brubeck's eldest son as he transforms jazz education in South Africa and the global social impact of jazz.

Alongside the film is Darius's autobiography - co-written with his wife Catherine - Playing the Changes: Jazz at an African University and on the Road. The book is a fascinating read for anyone with a passing interest in the history of jazz in our times, and how South Africa has dealt with its cultural significance and incredible musicians.

Apart from anything else, the book and the film together tell an incredible story of people sharing what they are good at and it was a real honour to talk to Darius.

Thank you to Darius for also sharing tracks from the newly re-mastered and re-issued album by The Jazzanians We Have Waited Too Long and I hope you enjoy listening to some clips from tracks from this fabulous 1988 sample of South African jazz, as encouraged and promoted by Darius and Catherine Brubeck.

When your parents are embarrassing you by keeping old photos and press cuttings about you, just remember Darius and Catherine's story - made a lot easier by their own collection of memorabilia, but also by Darius's mother, Iola Brubeck, who kept all their correspondence from the day they left for South Africa. Darius says: "She often reminded us to write a book one day. I told you my parents and family in general were supportive but this fact directly related to the genesis of the book somehow got lost."

Our conversation was genuinely an inspiration and I had to confess to Darius that my first intention was to talk about his famous father, Dave, who is really one of the most important figures in jazz. As I prepared for the interview, I was honoured to be given a sneak preview of both the film and the book, as well as a copy of the Jazzanians' album. Darius has made a difference in the lives and music of so many people.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Maria Schneider: Live at The Barbican

Tonight’s performance in the main hall at London’s Barbican Centre confirmed Maria Schneider ’s position as one of the finest composers of our generation. Working with the sublime Oslo Jazz Ensemble (formerly Denada), Schneider presented a selection of tunes from her ‘Data Lords’ double album from 2020 and the result was simply extraordinary. Photo credit @Hilary Seabrook With a host of Grammy awards and a Pulitzer Prize nomination for Data Lords , Schneider has proved her right to stand on the Barbican stage in front of one of the finest ensembles in the world. Her music allows every member to shine, individually and collectively. Sax players who double on clarinet, bass clarinet, flute and alto flute, trumpets and flugelhorns, an accordion and multiple percussion pieces wielded by the drummer collectively provide a range of timbres, textures and dynamics that thrilled this audience. The Data Lords  compositions celebrate everything that is wonderful about nature, as well as all ...

Big Wade - 'Piano Man' out now

Big Wade and Black Swan Theory collectively blends funk, soul, jazz and everything that fills the cracks between those genres: his new album -  Piano Man - on all major streaming platforms ahead of the Piano Man Tour 2024 , which has dates across the US. Piano Man  brings a selection of original and covers, including a stunning version of Autumn Leaves , which reinvents the song as the funky, electronic Autumn . Big Wade's voice takes the song's melody and improvises around and around, with backing vocals and a deliberately sparse arrangement underpinning the song. Similarly, on Children of the Ghetto , the lead and backing vocals blend in with the soulful musicians of Black Swan Theory. Electronics are used with dexterity, often expanding the vocal lines, as in the ethereal and ghostly opening of Don't Let Me Go . However, the tools never dominate - simply adding depth and layers to the funk. Never more than when Big Wade enters a new world in Interludes , including vocals...

The Darius Brubeck Quartet: Live at Jazz Cafe Posk

My first visit to Jazz Cafe Posk in London's Hammersmith coincided with the 60th anniversary of Posk - The Polish Social and Cultural Association - and the first performance in the club by pianist and composer Darius Brubeck. Photo credit @ Hilary Seabrook Darius was 10 when he joined his father on a historic tour of Poland. The Dave Brubeck Quartet toured Poland from 6 to 18 March 1958, just three years after the communist regime's ban on jazz was lifted. Without a doubt, this was the biggest jazz event in post-war Poland, with the archetypal and hugely successful outfit of Dave Brubeck (piano), Paul Desmond (alto sax), Eugene Wright (bass) and Joe Morello (drums). Sixty years later, in  2018, Darius took his own quartet - the same one he brought to Posk in May 2024 - to Poland for a significant tour, recorded and released as the Live in Poland album. Several of the tracks from this album were in the set at Posk and this quartet displayed in depth the benefits of playing to...