The Brubeck Recipe for Success

At the end of class, Lewis explained to us why Dave Brubeck does not have a stellar reputation in the jazz world. I'm going to offer some theories as to how these things have allowed Dave to build a stellar reputation in the non-jazz world.

he knows himself

He doesn't pretend he is something that he's not. He doesn't try to be popular, look around and see what's popular and try to get into that (for example, a swing band). He's not a politician. He's not afraid to not play bebop, and it's not a struggle for him. He can bring a sense of inner peace to what he does because he is being true to himself -- and because he does not wish he was something else. He is happy to be a non-bebop-playing jazz player.

the Wynton factor

He's a master storyteller. We were shown four channels that he has utilized to communicate with his audience: playing and improvising, composing, speaking, and writing in words. His talent for engaging the listener comes through in every case. There was the video interview where he spoke of racism and his relationship with his father, letting his feelings show. There was also the New York Times article, a brilliant way to speak directly to the listening public. I think there is always an uneasy disconnect between the artist and the public because the artist speaks a different language. It may be the language of music, of dance, of visual arts, or drama, but it has an essential abstract quality that the audience must accept without words of explanation. But when an artist uses the public's own language -- the written or spoken word -- to reach out, and it is done well, the public leaps at the chance to get closer.

(This may also explain the success of local jazz series such as at the Peddie School (Hightstown) and the Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton). These series have typically included an interview with the artist in addition to the concert.)

no fronting

As Lewis pointed out, Dave is an "out" player without having a reputation for it. Another way to say this is that he's unassuming; he does not have the affectations or attitudes common to those who play his kind of music. What is the stereotype of a strikingly abstract artist? Long hair, sunglasses, weird clothes, drugs, alcohol, strange or unusual way of talking, multiple marriages or relationships, publicity stunts, jail time, the list goes on and on. To meet Dave Brubeck on the street, based on the photographs and videos we have seen, I doubt that one would think he was an artist of any sort. His image to me is more like that of a schoolteacher.

As for the self-consciousness of an "out" player: I am reminded of my college East Asian History textbook. The first paragraph in the book decried its own title: "To the people who live there, it is neither east nor west and certainly not far." To Dave, his playing is neither out nor in, it's just home.

you had me at the pickup

Dave's rhythm sections are perfect for him. He surrounds himself with people who build him up and allow him to play the way he wants. Certainly he did not choose his rhythm section for their fame or for political reasons. We have heard his rhythm sections do nothing but keep time and solo when it's their turn. I have not heard any highly unusual solos from them. This disparateness between lead and accompaniment creates a spark that is powerful and compelling. Because the bass and drums' time is so predictable, Dave's eccentric rhythmic attack is exposed.

I think he could have had a "The Bad Plus" situation had he found rhythm players who would play more independently. But, I am sure that he did not want that. His love is to sit in time and experiment.

he's got pop hits

Dave has tapped into the world of pop-stardom with his arsenal of hits that are associated with him. He plays audience favorites and continues to pull them off to this day. A hit song is a powerful thing to possess.

I still wonder if he chooses to play the same concert every time, or if he does it for the sake of the audience. This is one of the drawbacks of pop-stardom: there is much less freedom to explore and discover on stage. So, he has made sacrifices in his performing career.

he has an "unshakably strong and highly individual identity" (direct quote from Lewis)

I agree -- and I believe this is the most important one. You must start with substance before it can grow and touch more and more people. Further, this quality is indestructible. Individuality can adjust to tragedy, can gain wisdom, can reach out, but can never be lost. Whatever is lost was never part of the individuality in the first place. If this were not true, Dave would not have been able to perform "Take Five" with the same feeling and identity for 50 years.

In sum, Dave Brubeck does not carry around "oppositional baggage," forces moving in the opposite direction to his success. I love it that there are people like him to set an example. He is not a perfect person -- would not make it in the field of historical research -- but we learn what we can from him.