Brubeck Quartet leads ‘serendipitous’ evening at UNT

by Stacey Smith of North Texas Daily

Dr. James Scott, Dean of the College of Music, opened Thursday night's performance at the Murchison Performing Arts Center by saying, "The music will speak for itself."

A standing ovation from a full house greeted 88-year-old Dave Brubeck as he took the stage at Winspear Hall. A "Living Legend", according to the Library of Congress, Dave Brubeck has performed and composed music in both the classical and jazz arenas for the last six decades.

"What (Brubeck) stands for brings us all together," said Scott. "This is an evening that I don't think could take place anywhere else on the planet. This is something we dreamed of."

Music filled the air as the UNT Grand Chorus broke the silence of the hall with a capella unison. The UNT Symphony Orchestra and the Dave Brubeck Quartet chimed in to perform Brubeck's works, a classical jazz blend. UNT alumnus Russell Gloyd, who served as Brubeck's conductor for the past 30 years, led the orchestra and choir.

UNT's own One O'Clock Jazz Band joined the Brubeck Quartet during the second half of the show and brought the crowd to its feet. Dave Richard, band member, arranged one of Brubeck's compositions for performance by the band. According to Steve Wiest, band conductor, Brubeck was so impressed by it that he is going to add it to his repertoire.

"I had no idea (Brubeck) was that brilliant and versatile. God is absolutely smiling; the synergy of the harmonies and variations were amazing," concert-goer Susan Buchheit said.

Due to high demand for the event, a second performance was added for tonight at 8 p.m., which will conclude the monthlong celebration of performances, entitled "From Handel to Brubeck" to honor the 10th anniversary of the Murchison Performance Arts Center. According to Scott, having Dave Brubeck perform at the Murchison is something the College of Music has been looking forward to since the beginning of the planning process for the 10-year anniversary.

Thilini Rathnayaka, Grand Chorus soprano, said performing with Brubeck was life-changing. "He is such a huge icon in the jazz world. I can't even think of the words to say."

In the words of Buchheit, the evening was "serendipitous."