Building on the popularity and critical success of their previous CDs, Cathy’s Summerand Years Ago, this group, having played together for 12 years, consistently earns standing ovations. Concerts always include Darius Brubeck compositions, South African jazz, and certain ever-popular Dave Brubeck hits, although they are flexible enough to present themed performances, as they did at last year’s Bernstein Festival in Chichester. Their mutual understanding and interaction is always a pleasure to see and hear and their acoustic sound is melodic, spontaneous, rhythmic and engaging.
Tim Dickeson had this to say in JAZZWISE, “Darius showed without doubt that he is a highly accomplished pianist and composer-but Dave O’Higgins must take huge credit for his contribution (as should Ridley & Gibbens) – as the combination of Brubeck and O’Higgins is certainly among the best piano/sax partnerships in the UK.” Clearly audiences feel this is still the case.
Born in San Francisco in 1947, jazz pianist and composer Darius Brubeck grew up in the artistic milieu of his famous father Dave and has enjoyed a lifetime of varied international experience as bandleader, composer, teacher and broadcaster. The Brubeck family moved to Connecticut in 1960 where Darius attended high school and graduated cum laude from Wesleyan University where he studied ethnomusicology and history of religion. He also holds an M. Phil. from Nottingham University where he was a Visiting Fellow in Music in 1999-2000.
