Legendary jazz group The Dave Brubeck Quartet to perform at Sauder Hall for the Performing Arts Series on Oct. 14

GOSHEN, Ind. – Credited with contributing to the “rebirth” of jazz after World War II and known for improvisation and experimentation, The Dave Brubeck Quartet will perform at Goshen College Sauder Concert Hall Saturday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Brubeck, who is considered one of the greatest jazz pianists in history, has always been interested in experimenting with traditional forms of jazz music. Though he was almost expelled from college when its dean found out Brubeck couldn’t read sheet music, his professors defended his talent and Brubeck graduated, promising the school he’d never teach piano. After playing in an Army band and several other ensembles, Brubeck formed his quartet in 1951 and pioneered a genre that became known as “West Coast jazz” or “cool jazz.”

Though the group was initially scorned by jazz purists for deviating from the music’s original “swinging” time signatures, it was immensely popular in the 1950s and ’60s. Besides being the first jazz artist on the cover of “Time Magazine,” in 1959 Brubeck had the first jazz record to sell a million copies with “Time Out,” which included the classic song “Take Five.” The Dave Brubeck Quartet was also one of the first jazz ensembles to perform on college campuses, introducing a new audience to this exciting genre.

After the original quartet disbanded in 1967, Brubeck pursued composition, including many with religious themes. A new lineup reunited in the early 1980s, and today the Quartet consists of drummer Randy Jones, bass player Michael Moore and alto saxophonist Bobby Militello.

Brubeck has been honored and awarded many times over. He was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame, awarded the National Medal of the Arts and the Jazz Master’s Award from the National Endowment of the Arts and granted doctorates from six American universities. A Brubeck Institute of the University of the Pacific has been established, and Brubeck has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, Calif.

Tickets for this concert are $45 for A section, $38 for B section or $20 for C section seats. For information about ticket availability, prices, reservations or more information, contact the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or e-mail welcomecenter@goshen.edu.

Future concerts in the 2006-07 Goshen College Performing Arts Series:

·    Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 5, 3 p.m. – The Marriage of Figaro (other nights available for the general public)

·    Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. – The King’s Singers (Optional concert)

·    Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m. – Emerson String Quartet

·    Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

·    March 13, 7:30 p.m. – Soweto Gospel Choir

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.