UGA benefits from Brubeck's presence

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Jazz great Dave Brubeck is serving a weeklong residence at UGA.

University of Georgia students have a rare opportunity to work with jazz great Dave Brubeck, who is serving a weeklong residence that continues through Friday.

Brubeck, with the help of his longtime conductor, Russell Gloyd, will lead a 140-person choir, a full symphony orchestra, a big band, a jazz vocal ensemble and his quartet as they perform 'The Light in the Wilderness,' his first major classical piece written 40 years ago.

The 87-year-old isn't close to slowing down. Brubeck just completed his score for a symphonic multimedia tribute to photographer Ansel Adams. Last August he released an album of solo piano performances called 'Indian Summer.'

Allen Crowell, director of choral activities, helps Dave Brubeck open the lid of the baby grand piano.

Brubeck listens as Crowell discusses the album 'Moscow Night.' Brubeck had tried to play in the then-Soviet Union for decades, and he and his quartet were finally allowed to do so in 1987.

In 1954 Brubeck became the first jazz artist to appear on the cover of Time magazine.

Brubeck poses with Chester Phillips, a doctoral student of conducting, as Phillips' friend takes a photo with an iPhone.

Brubeck has inspired countless musicians, including some who now play with him. 'I grew up dreaming about getting this gig,' said alto saxophonist Bobby Militello, who joined the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1983, filling the chair once occupied by Paul Desmond. 'I had (Brubeck's tunes) all memorized before I turned 18.'

Brubeck's mother, a pianist, was nervous when her piano-playing son helped his father on the family cattle ranch, forbidding the boy to rope any animals larger than a yearling, for fear that he might injure his hands.

Brubeck met his future wife, Iola, in college, and proposed to her on their first date. She accepted. Was that rash? 'It would have been irrational NOT to,' he said.

Dave and Iola Brubeck raised six children, four of whom are musicians and have performed with their dad.

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University of Georgia students have a rare opportunity to work with jazz great Dave Brubeck, who is serving a weeklong residence that continues through Friday.

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