Interview with Darius Brubeck

Darius Brubeck, the eldest son of jazz icon Dave Brubeck, emerges once again with a significant new release, reconnecting with his UK-based jazz quartet after a six-year recording hiatus. His latest album, Live Again, captures a vibrant live performance from November 2022 in Palermo, Italy, marking a noteworthy chapter in his ongoing musical journey.

Brubeck’s quartet, formed two decades ago, features saxophonist Dave O’Higgins, bassist Matt Ridley, and drummer Wesley Gibbens. Each member brings a distinctive voice to the ensemble, balancing their own professional pursuits with their collaboration in this group. Their reunion in the historical Real Teatro Santa Cecilia—a venue steeped in centuries of musical tradition—was both a timely and inspiring occasion for recording. This performance setting offered a rich acoustic ambiance that Brubeck believes essential to the album’s authentic live energy.

The album follows Live in Poland (2018), which commemorated both the centenary of Poland’s independence and revisited the groundbreaking 1958 Dave Brubeck Quartet tour behind the Iron Curtain. In contrast, Live Again reflects Darius Brubeck’s diverse cultural experiences, drawing on influences from the United States, South Africa, and Europe, as well as responses to contemporary global phenomena.

Tracks on Live Again showcase Brubeck’s eclectic compositional approach. For example, "Playing the Changes" originated as a documentary soundtrack highlighting his career, while "Brexit Blues" channels the political turbulence of the UK’s Brexit debates through an intricate blues framework. The album also incorporates elements of South Korean culture, notably in "Somebody in Seoul," which weaves the ancient folk melody "Arirang" with classic jazz harmonies.

Brubeck’s time living and teaching jazz in South Africa continues to resonate deeply in his music. The album’s "Transkei," a piano and drums duet with Gibbens, pays homage to South African jazz’s directness and power. This piece echoes a previous recording from 2003 featuring South African drummer Lulu Gontsana, emphasizing Brubeck’s longstanding connection to the region’s musical landscape.

Despite leading a group with instrumentation reminiscent of his father’s legendary quartet, Darius Brubeck consciously differentiates his work by focusing on clear communication with audiences rather than virtuosic display. He sees his quartet’s dynamic as collaborative and evolving, underscoring the importance of rehearsal and shared development of material to create a compelling live experience.

The Brubeck legacy remains a significant thread in Darius’s career, reflected in both family ties and musical ethos. While his brothers Dan and Chris continue with their Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Darius’s work is regarded as a distinct continuation of their father’s influence, avoiding mere homage in favor of original expression within a familiar jazz framework.

Beyond music, Brubeck’s studio in Rye houses artifacts linking the family’s rich history to broader cultural narratives, including a pen-and-ink portrait from French composer Darius Milhaud to Dave Brubeck, symbolizing artistic mentorship and legacy. Photographs of collaborations with figures like Wynton Marsalis and Abdullah Ibrahim also highlight the breadth of Brubeck’s musical alliances.

The decision to record Live Again at this moment was influenced by the logistical opportunity presented by the Palermo concerts and the readiness of the band to capture fresh material. Brubeck acknowledges that while album production demands significant resources and focus, moments like these provide the ideal circumstances to document the quartet’s evolving artistry.

Released on Gathering Forces/ECN Music in early November 2023, Live Again stands as both a testament to Darius Brubeck’s enduring creative spirit and a reflection of his international musical experiences. The album emphasizes the vitality of live performance, the fusion of diverse cultural influences, and a commitment to jazz as a living, communicative art form.