Dave Brubeck: Post-Time Out Directions with Dr. Gil Harel

Please join us as Dr. Gil Harel presents a 3-part series on some of the post-Time Out musical directions followed by Dave Brubeck. We kick off the series on November 6 with "Brubeck's Musical Tableaus," a look at some of the music that came out of his travels to exotic locales. Then on November 20, Gil will present "Brubeck's Exploration of Time, Meter, and Rhythm: Successors to 1959's Time Out" which will explore the albums which filled out Dave's experiments with time signatures and polyrhythm. We conclude the series on December 4 with "Brubeck & Sons: Family, Faith, and Holiday Fun in the Twilight of the 20th Century."

Brubeck’s Musical Tableaus:

In 1959, The Brubeck Quartet's Time Out left an indelible imprint on the jazz scene. Indeed, Brubeck's novel and whimsical exploration of odd time signatures yielded an unexpected degree of success and critical acclaim. In the ensuing years, the peripatetic Brubeck and his bandmates traveled widely, once again visiting exotic locations including Japan. Much like the earlier sojourn that brought the band to Eurasia, these trips abroad often proved inspiring for the fecund minds of Brubeck, Desmond, Wright and Morello. During this program, Professor Gil Harel will discuss three albums from the 1960s, including Jazz Impressions of Japan (1964), Jazz Impressions of New York (1964), and Bravo! Brubeck!, an album of live recordings from the band's tour of Mexico in 1967. In each case, the Brubeck quartet delivers memorable and vivid musical tableaus, conjuring locations both familiar and wonderfully esoteric.

Gil Harel (PhD, Brandeis University) is a musicologist and music theorist whose interests include styles ranging from the western classical repertoire to jazz. Previously, he served on the faculty at CUNY Baruch College (where he was awarded the prestigious “Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching”). Currently, he is Full Professor of Music at CT State Naugatuck Valley, where he has been presented with the AFT "Merit Award for Exemplary Service to the College" for 6 consecutive years. In 2020, he was honored with the coveted Connecticut Board of Regents (BOR) Teaching Award. At NVCC, Dr. Harel conducts the college chorale, a cappella ensemble, teaches music history and theory, and serves as musical director of theater productions.

Registration strongly recommended. Register online or call 203-762-6334. You will automatically be registered for all three sessions.