A Warmer Inauguration

Dave Brubeck fans have cause to be excited. In February, the Brubeck Festival and the inauguration of the Brubeck Institute will take place at the pianist’s alma mater, University of the Pacific in Stockton California (UOP).

A place for all things Brubeck, the Brubeck Institute plans to build upon Dave Brubeck’s legacy–quintessentially American in origin, international in scope and unique in it’s breadth. As center of the Brubeckian universe, the Institute will provide a practical environment for learning, reference resources and a living archive of resident performers and scholars. The Institute will also present regular events and musical performances.

The 2001 Brubeck Festival will run for three days, February 1st-3rd, and will feature roundtable discussions, student workshops, musical seminars and performances by Brubeck and members of his Quartet. The Quartet will be aided by the UOP Symphony Orchestra and Chorale to perform a celebratory concert on February 3rd at 8:00p.m. This concert is the only festival event that is not free.

Expect to see and hear a lot from Dave and his wife Iola as they discuss “The Brubeck Legacy” with friends and other musicians. The discussion will include a look at Dave and Iola’s collaborative creation of choral and liturgical works. Particular interest will be paid to The Real Ambassadors, a piece written by the couple and performed and by Louis Armstrong. Tickets to the February 3rd concert are available only through the UOP Box Office at (209)946-2867. For general festival information, go to www.uop.edu/brubeck.

Following the festival, The Stockton Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Peter Jaffe, will perform Millennium Intervals, composed by Brubeck for this occasion. The piece will be a world premiere concert performed on February 8 at 8:00 p.m. If you wish to attend this performance contact the Stockton Symphony Association Office at (209)951-0196.

Originally Published January 18, 2001