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Darius Brubeck
Son of Dave Brubeck, pianist/composer, started first university jazz course in South Africa, was there for over 20 years, 2 Fulbright awards, now based in England and playing full-time.
About Me
San Francisco born 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 band leader, composer, teacher and
broad¬caster.
In the 70’s and early 80’s, Darius led his own groups and was ushered into the international jazz scene as a
member of Two Generations of Brubeck and The New Brubeck Quartet (Dave, Darius, Chris, and Dan Brubeck)
under his father’s leadership. He moved to South Africa in 1983 to initiate the first Jazz Studies program at an
African university at the University of Natal (now University of Natal-KwaZulu) where he was Associate Professor
of Jazz Studies and founded the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music. He also served as a Fulbright visiting professor
in Romania and Turkey. During his years in South Africa, Darius Brubeck and Afro Cool Concept, featuring some of
South Africa’s premier musicians, played throughout southern Africa, Europe, and the USA. Brubeck also led groups
representing his university and South Africa in Europe, Turkey, Peru, Thailand, and the USA. Brubeck also
collaborated with virtuoso bansuri player, Deepak Ram, using the band name Gathering Forces.
Two of his pieces, ‘For Lydia’ and ‘Tugela Rail” were selected by the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music for
its jazz piano syllabus.
Since moving to London in 2005, Darius has led the London based Darius Brubeck Quartet, featuring world-famous
British saxophonist, Dave O’Higgins, with Matt Ridley on bass and Wesley Gibbens on drums, appearing regularly
at Ronnie Scott’s and other top-flight venues. He also leads Brubecks Play Brubeck, re-uniting roughly annually
since 2010 for tours with his brothers Chris and Dan.