Dan Brubeck Trio (instrumental)

The instrumental version of the Dan Brubeck Trio with (L to R in the photo) Miles Hill (bass), Miles Black (piano) and Dan Brubeck (drums) provides a more traditional approach to the jazz trio. This group offers an in-depth instrumental exploration of Dave Brubeck‘s music as well as some original compositions. The Trio utilizes the vast improvisational skills of three avid soloists as they move together on a musical journey through often uncharted territory. The keywords here are improvisational exploration.

Bios are included below.

Dan Brubeck Trio (vocal)

The vocal version of the Dan Brubeck Trio with (L to R in the photo) Miles Black (piano), Adam Thomas (bass and vocals), and Dan Brubeck (drums) and  celebrates the music and lyrics of Dave and Iola Brubeck. Iola Brubeck’s lyrics create a layer of depth to some well known Dave Brubeck compositions and the Trio does not shy away from the surprisingly rarely heard compositions in the Dave and Iola Brubeck song book. These songs are true treasures. The Dan Brubeck Quartet’s recording Celebrating the Music & Lyrics of Dave and Iola Brubeck featured Adam Thomas on bass and vocals and was nominated for a Juno in the best jazz vocal category.

Dan Brubeck Quartet

The Dan Brubeck Quartet adds a guest member to either trio configuration. Quartet guests have included Mike DeMicco (guitarist with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet), Roy Styffe (saxophonist), and Steve Kaldestad (featured on the Dan Brubeck Quartet Live from the Cellar recording). Guest bios are included below.

Adam Thomas

In April 2010, Adam met Dan Brubeck; thus began a friendship that would also bring about the musical collaboration featuring the vocal music of Dan’s father and mother, Dave Brubeck and Iola Brubeck. This led to the release of the “Celebrating…” CD in 2015. 

Adam is a startlingly soulful singer who puts a personal stamp on a wide variety of musical material. He brings an easygoing authority to interpreting songs made famous by masters such as Louis Armstrong.

Adam began gigging at age thirteen, and in 1997 he transferred to the illustrious North Texas University to further his music studies. While at North Texas, Adam was a member of the 6 time Grammy Award nominated ‘One O’Clock Lab Band’ where he had the opportunity to perform with Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Byron Stripling, Bob Brookmeyer, Kenny Wheeler, Adam Nussbaum, Joey Baron, Paul Wertico (Pat Metheny Group), Louis Hayes (Cannonball Adderley Quintet), Ignacio Berroa, John Abercrombie, Dave Liebman, and more. After his studies, he moved to New York City and performed with some of NYC’s finest musicians including Aaron Goldberg (Mark Turner Quartet, Kurt Rosenwinkle Quartet), John Ellis (Charlie Hunter band), Rodney Green (Michael Brecker Group), Sam Barsh (Avishai Cohen Trio).

Upon his return to Vancouver in 2003, Adam became a member of the Mike Allen Quartet, releasing “For My Love”. He was a featured performer on CBC Radio for a Frank Loesser memorial birthday concert and also a tribute to the memory and music of Chet Baker.

Visit Adam at adamrobertthomas.com

Miles Black

Based in Vancouver, Miles Black is a highly respected career musician bringing an enormous wealth of musical experience and expertise to most every facet of the music industry.  First known as one of Canada’s most accomplished jazz pianists, Miles is also highly acclaimed and sought after as an arranger, producer, composer, session musician, guitarist, vocalist, bassist, saxophonist, songwriter, and musical theatre director. Adding to that, he has worked as a music therapist and collegiate music instructor. Especially in Vancouver, Miles Black is the ’first call’ when musicians are looking for top professional enhancements to their projects.

Visit Miles at milesblack.ca

Miles Hill

Miles Foxx Hill is a bassist, recording engineer, and composer. As an electric and acoustic bass player, he has worked with some of the world’s biggest music names including Van Morrison, Michael Buble, Chad Kroeger of Nickleback and the Brazilian jazz superstar Ivan Lins. Miles is known for his profound sense of time, unique arrangements and diverse musical styles. He has played on over 600 recordings that cover the musical spectrum, from jazz, funk, and tango to country and rock. Miles is currently touring with Dan Brubeck.

Visit Miles at radialeng.com

Mike DeMicco

Mike DeMicco grew up in the arts colony of Woodstock, New York, immersed in blues, jazz and rock music. An outstanding guitarist and composer, he has performed and recorded with Chris and Dan Brubeck since the late 1980s, currently with Brubeck Brothers Quartet and as a guest member of the Dan Brubeck Quartet.

Visit Mike at mikedemicco.com

Roy Styffe

Regarded by many as one of the finest improvisers in Canada. Multi-instrumentalist (saxophone/clarinet/flute) Roy Styffe has been wowing audiences for over 30 years. He has played with the greatest names in Canadian jazz and continues to push the envelope of excellence in the world of improvisation. Based in Victoria, B.C., Roy is a guest member of the Dan Brubeck Quartet.

Visit Roy at musicbythesea.ca

Steve Kaldestad

Steve Kaldestad is one of the most in-demand saxophonists on the West Coast, performing as a sideman with Jesse Cahill’s Nightcrawlers, Jodi Proznick’s quartet, and many other noteable Vancouver jazz ensembles. He studied with Lee Konitz in New York, and subsequently moved to London, where he played with the Kate Williams Quartet, the BBC Big Band, and others. He has played or recorded with Denzal Sinclaire, Maynard Ferguson, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Peter Bernstein, Kenny Wheeler, the Karl Jannuska Group and Kevin Dean.

Visit Steve at stevekaldestad.com

In addition to his own Vancouver-based groups, Dan also performs and records in various groups with his siblings—Chris Brubeck, (a bassist, trombonist, and noted composer), Darius Brubeck (pianist/composer), and Matt Brubeck (cellist). 

Information about each of these groups follows.

For booking information, Contact Dan.

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet is an exciting jazz group featuring Dan Brubeck (drums) and Chris Brubeck (bass & trombone.) Honorary brothers Mike DeMicco (guitar), and Chuck Lamb (piano) complete this dynamic quartet. More information is available on the BBQ page and at the BBQ website.

Brubecks Play Brubeck

Brubecks Play Brubeck features Darius, Chris and Dan Brubeck and the UK sax star, Dave O’Higgins. This group was formed in 2010 for a ‘one-off’ tour to coincide with Dave Brubeck’s 90th birthday and the broadcast of a Clint Eastwood produced film about Dave’s career, “In His Own Sweet Way”.  However the quartet continues to perform annually and internationally, notably appearing in such famous venues as Ronnie Scott’s in London and at the 2014 Brubeck Festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York and at JALC again in 2016.

Critics and audiences alike respond to the personal involvement, musical interplay and joy on stage as the group performs music created by one of American music’s all-time greats.

For more information and bookings go to dariusbrubeck.com.

The Brubeck Sons Quartet

The Brubeck Sons Quartet features the 4 Brubeck brothers Darius (piano), Chris (bass and trombone), Dan (drums) and Matt (cello). The  brothers are the sons of Dave and Iola Brubeck and are outstanding musicians in their own right. The majority of concerts which they have played over the years have been with Dave Brubeck in an orchestra setting billed as Dave Brubeck and Sons. The brothers now live in different parts of the world and pursue their own musical careers. On rare occasions they all come together as the Brubeck Sons Quartet to let the magic happen. For booking information, Contact Dan.