The Brubeck Collection

09/04/2026

Born on this day in 1892, French composer Darius Milhaud (1892-1974) was Dave Brubeck's teacher and mentor at Mills College in Oakland, CA, who served as a major influence, encouraging Brubeck to pursue both jazz and composition.

Milhaud was known as a member of "Les Six": a group of early 20th century French composers who aimed to shift away from the influence of Romantic and Impressionist musical styles. Milhaud's compositions spanned a wide range of genres. His 1923 jazz ballet, "La création du monde" ("The Creation of the World"), one of his most well-known works, was inspired by his encounters with early American jazz music.

📸 Dave Brubeck, Michael Random, and Darius Milhaud going over score, 1940s (Oakland, California) (DBP.4X.004)

08/28/2026

08/26/2026

Happy birthday to jazz bassist Norman Bates (1927 - 2004)!

Norm Bates performed with Dave Brubeck starting in the mid-1940s and throughout the 1950's until around 1957. His brother, Bob Bates, also played bass with Brubeck throughout this time. Some notable recordings Norm Bates played on include Dave Brubeck and Jai & Kai at Newport (1956), Jazz Goes to Junior College (1957), Jazz Impressions of The U.S.A. (1957), and Dave Digs Disney (1957).

📸 Paul Desmond, Norman Bates, and Dave Brubeck in performance at The Black Hawk, 1956 (San Francisco, California) (DBP.56.050)

08/25/2026

We hope you can join us this weekend for Wilton JazzFest! www.wiltonlibrary.org/jazzfest/

08/15/2026

Less than 2 weeks until the first annual Wilton JazzFest featuring Taylor Eigsti, Alphonso Horne and the Gotham Kings, Brubeck Brothers Quartet, and the Paquito D'Rivera Quintet!

Hosted by Mark Ruffin of SiriusXM Real Jazz

Follow this link for more information: www.wiltonlibrary.org/jazzfest

08/14/2026

Happy birthday to Iola Brubeck (1923-2014)!

Born on this day in 1923 in Corning, California, Iola was the love of Dave’s life and his “greatest inspiration.” She was also an accomplished writer, radio producer, educator, business manager, and lyricist who helped bring modern jazz into the mainstream from the 1950s onward.

Want to learn more about Iola Brubeck's life and legacy? Check out this article about Iola published in this month's The New York City Jazz Record issue featuring our photo of Iola from the archive:

“Many people after meeting our mother would say there was something very ‘regal’ about her, it glowed from the inside out. She emoted a sense of authority and kindness simultaneously,” Chris Brubeck observes. “Our family was extraordinarily blessed to have such an elegant, wise, talented, loving mother guiding the family through post-WWII years into the next century.”

(Marilyn Lester, "Iola Brubeck: Woman of Many Parts," The New York City Jazz Record [August 2026, Issue 292])

Read the full story here:https://nycjazzrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/tnycjr202608_v6.pdf

📸 Iola Brubeck at Brubeck home, 4949 Daisy St, 1940s (Oakland, California) (DBP.4X.055d)

08/09/2026

On this day in 1978, Dave Brubeck's Easter oratorio "Beloved Son" premiered at the Minneapolis Auditorium featuring The New Brubeck Quartet with Dave alongside his sons Darius, Chris Brubeck, and Dan. The text, from scripture and poetry by Lutheran minister Herbert Brokering, was adapted by Dave's wife, Iola Brubeck.

📄 1-3. Beloved Son program signed by baritone LeRoy Lehr, American Lutheran Church Women 6th Triennial Conference, August 9, 1978 (Minneapolis, Minnesota)