BRUBECK BROTHERS QUARTET

Chris Brubeck and Dan Brubeck have been making music together practically all their lives. Drummer Dan and bassist, trombonist, and composer Chris cut their first record together in 1966 – more than half a century ago. They’ve subsequently played a variety of styles in a number of different groups, as well as with their father, jazz giant Dave Brubeck, and with their own Brubeck Brothers Quartet (“BBQ”). With Dan and Chris as the foundation, guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb, complete this dynamic quartet.

Although the quartet’s style is rooted in straightahead jazz, their concerts reveal an inherent ability to explore and play odd time signatures while naturally integrating the influences of funk, blues and world music. The group’s creativity, technique and improvisation can be heard in their uncompromising music, which reflects their dedication to melody, rhythm, culture and the spontaneous spirit of jazz.

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet’s most recent CD “TimeLine”, released in 2018, celebrated the 60th anniversary of Dave Brubeck’s historic 1958 State Department Tour. The recording includes freshly rearranged tunes written by Dave inspired by his 1958 tour as well as compelling new originals by Chris Brubeck, Mike DeMicco and Chuck Lamb.

The group’s visit to the Yardbird Suite will commemorate the 60th anniversary of one of the iconic jazz albums of all time – “Time Out” by the Dave Brubeck Quartet – one of the most rhythmically innovative albums in jazz history, the first to consciously explore time signatures outside of the standard 4/4 beat or 3/4 waltz time. “Blue Rondo a la Turk”, inspired by the quartet’s visit to Istanbul, and “Take Five” are just two of the now classic Dave Brubeck compositions from “Time Out”. It is sophisticated music, which lends itself to cerebral appreciation, yet never stops swinging. Countless other musicians built on its pioneering experiments, yet it is amazingly accessible for all its advanced thinking, a rare feat in any art form. Expect to hear BBQ play a couple of the classic tunes from this album.

“The BBQ attains that rarefied level where music is both relaxed and expressive, and their joy in its creation is contagious. There’s nothing out there that comes close to their unique blend of inventiveness.” – All About Jazz