Dave and Iola Brubeck were interviewed for this oral history project on January 30 and 31, 2007. During the interviews, the Brubecks discussed a broad range of topics from throughout their lives. Some of the stories cover well-known episodes in their career, others are related here for the first time. The interviews were filmed at Ellington's Jazz Bar and Restaurant on Sanibel Island, Florida. The interviewers were Shan Sutton, Head of Special Collections at the University of the Pacific Library, and Keith Hatschek, Director of the Music Management Program in the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music.

The Brubeck oral history project is a collaborative effort supported by the University of the Pacific Library, Brubeck Institute, and the Experience Music Project of Seattle. The excerpts presented here were selected from over five hours of interview footage. Access to the entire interviews and their transcripts is available at the University of the Pacific Library's Special Collections department, and the Experience Music Project.

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Oral Histories from 2007

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on performing with their sons in Poland in 1958, Keith Hatschek

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on touring Poland in 1958, Keith Hatschek

 

Dave Brubeck on the need for cultural exchange programs, Keith Hatschek

 

Iola Brubeck on representing the United States when playing in foreign countries, Keith Hatschek

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on Dave's change in career plans at the College of the Pacific, Shan Sutton

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on Dave's World War II experiences and his Army band The Wolf Pack, Shan Sutton

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on Earth is Our Mother, Shan Sutton

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on jam sessions in India and Turkey in 1958, Shan Sutton

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on the album Time Out, Shan Sutton

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on the concept of the "classic" Dave Brubeck Quartet, Shan Sutton

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on The Gates of Justice, Shan Sutton

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on their memories of other jazz greats, Shan Sutton

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on the legendary concert at Oberlin College in 1953, Shan Sutton

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on The Light in the Wilderness and the use of spiritual themes in their compositions, Shan Sutton

 

Dave and Iola Brubeck on The Real Ambassadors and working with Louis Armstrong, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck and Iola Brubeck on Dave's appearance on the cover of Time magazine in 1954, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on being both a pianist and composer, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on Dziekuje, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on his first paying gigs in rural California, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on how he would like to be remembered, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on In Your Own Sweet Way, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on learning to play piano, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on meeting Bill Clinton and receiving the National Medal of the Arts from him, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on musical telepathy and improvisation in the Quartet, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on performing to segregated audiences and facing apartheid in South Africa, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on polyrhythm, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on polytonality, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on Rock and Roll, Frank Zappa, and Rap music, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on the challenges of having an integrated band, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on the concept of "West Coast Jazz", Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on the emotional impact of jazz, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on the influence of Johann Sebastian Bach, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on the keys to improvisation, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubeck on Upon This Rock and performing for Pope John Paul II's visit to San Francisco, Shan Sutton

 

Dave Brubueck on his musical development at Mills College under Darius Milhaud, Shan Sutton