 © 2003 Milken Family Foundation March 14, 2007, Monterey, CA; The Monterey Jazz Festival is pleased to announce that it will honor the legendary pianist and composer Dave Brubeck at its Golden Gala Celebration, launching the 50th Anniversary of the fabled Festival on April 7, 2007 at the Tehama Golf Club in Carmel, California. In addition, the Mayor of Monterey, Chuck Della Salla has proclaimed that the week of April 8, 2007 will be Dave Brubeck week—so citizens of Monterey County can now “Take Seven.” Proceeds from the Gala will go to support the Festival’s Youth Education Programs, considered to be some of the most highly regarded in the country.
“Dave Brubeck is one of the reasons that the Monterey Jazz Festival exists,” said MJF General Manager Tim Jackson. “In 1958, Dave’s participation in getting us established and his performance at the first Festival is well-documented. Here we are, 50 years later, and his music still epitomizes the sound of jazz to the world. He is literally one of the icons of the art form. I think [MJF Founder] Jimmy Lyons would be extremely happy and proud to see that Dave is still composing and recording at age 86—and performing to packed houses.” Jackson added, “This award acknowledges the gratitude that the Festival and jazz fans from around the world feel for a man who has transcended the boundaries of what we expect a musician to be.”
Brubeck’s use of polytonality and odd meters set him apart from the rest of the “West Coast Cool” scene, and has been a hallmark of his style since the beginning of his career. One of the most popular albums in jazz was Brubeck’s “Time Out” released in 1960, featuring the iconic songs “Blue Rondo A La Turk” and “Take Five,” one of the most recognized instrumental songs of the 20th century. Jimmy Lyons, as a DJ in San Francisco, became an early champion of Brubeck, regularly playing Dave’s music on his radio show on KNBC. Lyons then booked Dave into Oakland’s Burma Lounge in 1949, Dave’s first influential gig. Brubeck played the first--and last--Monterey Jazz Festivals that Jimmy Lyons booked in 1958 and 1992.
“I was there before the beginning,” said Brubeck from his home in Connecticut. “I was there at the beginning, and I played the first time that they played. Long may it live.”
Brubeck has been a longtime favorite at Monterey. 2007 will mark his 14th appearance at the Festival which includes two of his commissioned works, 1962’s The Real Ambassadors (reprised on its 40th anniversary in 2002) and 2006’s Cannery Row Suite. Over the years, Brubeck’s contribution to the legend of Monterey has only grown, as the 86-year old pianist continues to compose, record and tour with a schedule that would be exhausting for someone half his age.
In another honor for Brubeck, the Mayor of Monterey, Chuck Della Salla, has proclaimed that the week of April 8, 2007 will be “Dave Brubeck Week”, honoring Brubeck’s contributions to the world of music, civil rights and multiculturalism and to the arts landscape of Monterey itself for over 50 years.
“Dave Brubeck’s contributions to California and Monterey are numerous. He helped launch the first Monterey Jazz Festival in 1958, and has enriched the musical community for over half a century,” said the Mayor. “Dave Brubeck has been a long-time supporter of the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Education Programs. Dave honored Monterey with the premiere performance of his 2006 commissioned piece the Cannery Row Suite, a musical tribute connecting jazz, America’s music, with the rich literary history of Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck. Dave has been a tireless advocate and champion of the arts, music and social accountability around the world. It is for these selfless acts that we recognize his contributions in our city and community. We are honored to have him return to Monterey in 2007.”
The Golden Gala Celebration at the exclusive Tehama Golf Club in Carmel will feature the premiere presentation of the MJF Legends Award to Brubeck, with entertainment by the Jamie Davis Group, a longtime Bay Area vocalist who also sings with the Count Basie Orchestra. The evening includes cocktails, a sumptuous gourmet dinner, and a live auction that includes a special Festival package with arena seats to the 50th Festival and a framed and signed Tony Bennett 2005 Festival poster; and more. Also to be auctioned are packages that include: a Bose sound system, a limited-edition, signed copy of the "Art of Jazz – Monterey Jazz Festival/50 Years" hardcover book (to be released in June 2007), jewelry by Tiffany & Co, merchandise from Wilkes Bashford, and a luxury spa package from the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur.
Space is extremely limited for this Golden Gala Celebration, early reservations are recommended.
Cost is $250 per person, with all proceeds from the Gala Celebration going directly to support MJF's youth jazz education programs, including the Traveling Clinician and Latin Jazz Programs, with professional musicians visiting Monterey County schools to teach students how to play and improvise in jazz and Latin styles; the Artist-In-Residence Program, which brings a leading jazz performer to work with students throughout the year; the MJF Summer Jazz Camp, the MJF Instrument and Sheet Music Library, the Next Generation Festival, the Monterey County High School All-Star-Band, the MJF Middle School Honor Band and MJF Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra.
For details and to make reservations, please go online at www.montereyjazzfestival.org or call Cynthia House at 831-373-3366.
The Monterey Jazz Festival thanks our Golden Gala Celebration Sponsors: First National Bank of Central California, Howard & Rosalind Fisher, Fremont Bank Foundation, Pebble Beach Foundation, Stuart I. Jacobs, M.D. & Stephanie Stevenson; and Unity Music, LLC.
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Wednesday, 03 December 2008
