Dave Brubeck (Photo Taken in 1954; via Wikimedia Commons)
Wilton Library and the family of the late jazz legend Dave Brubeck announced tonight [Jan. 11, 2020] that the Brubeck Collection, formerly housed at University of the Pacific in California, has found its way home to Wilton Library. The collection is a treasure trove of musical recordings, correspondence, legal and business documents, photographs, manuscripts, and memorabilia from Dave and Iola Brubeck, two of contemporary jazz’s greatest contributors.
Elaine Tai-Lauria, executive director of Wilton Library, said, “We are thrilled to be welcoming this prestigious archival collection into Wilton Library. The Brubeck Family and the library have had such a wonderful, long-standing relationship, that it is fitting all this important documentation be housed here. The library also is the home of the Wilton History Room, so the synergy is perfect for the collection to reside here.” Chris Brubeck, one of Dave and Iola’s sons, said of the decision, “Wilton was the town where my siblings and I grew up; it was the town where my dad came home to after each of his tours; and it was the town where we often enjoyed playing with him as musicians. So, our family agreed that Wilton Library is the right place for this notable collection.”
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Dave Brubeck was a jazz legend whose music transcended the jazz world and launched him into what today would be called pop culture or mainstream with his “Take Five” and “Blue Rondo a la Turk” recordings from his seminal 1959 “Time Out” album. Beyond his renowned jazz influence, he composed ballets, musicals, a mass, and large-scale orchestrations. He was a favorite among jazz followers making many appearances at Newport, Kool jazz festivals, Monterey, Concord and several performances at the White House. In 2009, he was a Kennedy Center honoree.
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Tai-Lauria continued, “The Brubeck family’s connection to Wilton Library is so special. Dave, Darius, Dan and Chris have selflessly performed in countless concerts to help raise funds for our library. Chris, who still lives in Wilton, created the “WaterWorks” symphony in 2003 for the library’s Evening of the Arts fundraiser. Chris and his wife, Tish, initiated our Hot & Cool: Jazz at the Brubeck Room concerts in which their influence brings world-class musicians to our audiences – for which we are forever grateful. We are honored to be stewards of the Brubeck Collection.” The Brubeck Room, a 150-seat performance space that was created specifically for concerts, lectures, and authors, was named for Dave and his family in 2006 during the library’s major expansion.
In announcing the agreement between the library and the Brubeck family, Tai-Lauria explained that she floated the idea to Chris and his wife Tish when she learned the collection would be leaving the University of the Pacific.
“Chris and Tish in their ever gracious Brubeck manner listened and brought it to the family,” she said.
From the stage, Chris Brubeck called it the “right dream at the right time. It’s synergy and harmony and I know my parents would be pleased.”
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area.
He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com. Gary is also the co-founder of infoDJ an innovation research consultancy supporting corporate product and business model teams with just-in-time fact and insight finding.
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In announcing the agreement between the library and the Brubeck family, Tai-Lauria explained that she floated the idea to Chris and his wife Tish when she learned the collection would be leaving the University of the Pacific.
