Jazz great Dave Brubeck dies in Connecticut

Jazz musician Dave Brubeck died Wednesday morning at Norwalk Hospital, in Norwalk, Conn., his longtime manager-producer-conductor Russell Gloyd tells the Chicago Tribune.

Brubeck, who would have turned 92 on Thursday, died of heart failure, en route to "a regular treatment with his cardiologist," said Gloyd.

A birthday party was planned in the town of Wilton, Conn., featuring his son, Darius Brubeck; Richie Cannata, sax player for Billy Joel; and Bernie Williams, former New York Yankees star.

The pianist, regarded as one of the greatest of American jazz musicians, reached pop star status with recordings including Take Five and Blue Rondo a la Turk, both of which appeared on Brubeck's acclaimed 1959 album, Time Out. Both also showcased Brubeck's fondness for unusual time signatures. Take Five is in 5/4 time; Blue Rondo is in 9/8 time.

Brubeck, who was born in Concord, Calif. and was given piano lessons by his mother, did more than just tickle the ivories.

He once said he considers himself "a composer who plays the piano." He wrote and recorded several large-scale compositions since the 1960s, including two ballets, a musical, an oratorio, four cantatas, a mass, works for jazz group and orchestra, and many pieces for solo piano. He has appeared at the Newport (1958, 1972, 1981), Monterey (1962, 1980), Concord (1982), and Kool jazz festivals, and performed at the White House (1964, 1981).

"For as long as I've been playing jazz, people have been trying to pigeonhole me," he told the Tribune in an interview. "Frankly, labels bore me."

Brubeck is survived by his wife, Iola; four sons Darius, Dan, Chris and Matthew (all musicians) and daughter Catherine; grandsons and a great granddaughter.