NEW PERFORMANCE PROGRAM BEGINS AT BRUBECK INSTITUTE

BUENA PARK, CA (June 13, 2003)—In 2000, jazz legend Dave Brubeck and his wife Iola established The Brubeck Institute in conjunction with the University of the Pacific (UOP) in Stockton, CA. More than simply a realization of both Brubecks' long devotion to music, education and humanity, the Institute is a "living archive" where students study jazz and contemporary music, perform, compose, and share what they learn with future generations.

The Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet (left to right), Tommy Morimoto (sax), Justin Brown (drums), Fabian Almazan (piano), Joe Sanders (bass) and Anthony Coleman III (trumpet).

Last fall, the Institute initiated its full-scholarship, one-to-two year specialized performance program designed for five to seven gifted jazz students, ages 18-19. The inaugural members of the Brubeck Institute Ensemble (Fabian Almazan, piano; Justin Brown, drums; Anthony Coleman, trumpet; Tommy Morimoto, sax; and Joe Sanders, bass) study with artistic director Christian McBride and a host of internationally renowned jazz masters such as Bobby Watson and Dave Brubeck himself. Two Yamaha grand pianos are an integral part of the Institute's unique offerings.

A Yamaha C2 conservatory grand piano resides in a room used exclusively for coaching, rehearsals, and sessions with McBride and visiting jazz masters; jazz combo students from UOP's Conservatory of 200 music majors also use this designated space. A Yamaha C1 conservatory grand piano is a prominent feature in the Summit Café, UOP's bustling student union.

An essential component of the Institute's "coursework" is "informances," so named because Ensemble members act as jazz ambassadors. This year, they will visit Seattle, Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, Baltimore, and northern California, a list of destinations the program planners want to expand in the future.

J.B. Dyas, executive director, The Brubeck Institute

"The idea is to regenerate the same opportunities that Miles, Coltrane, Art Blakey, Dave Brubeck and others had," says executive director J.B. Dyas. "The way they developed was by playing with other good players, back when there were jazz clubs on every corner. Now the fellows are playing and talking about jazz in schools. Students really relate to them."

"The Institute was created in Dave's vision, to be humanitarian and inclusive, both socially and musically," Dyas continues. "Dave summed it up recently on Larry King Live when asked how he'd like to be remembered. He said, 'As someone who opened doors.'"

More information about the Brubeck Festival in April, the Brubeck Summer Jazz Colony in August and other offerings and events is available online at www.brubeckinstitute.org.

For more information about Yamaha pianos, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622-6600; email infostation@yamaha.com; visit www.yamaha.com or telephone (714) 522-9011.