60s NOW

Ebony and Ivory When It Counted

From "Dave Brubeck: Take 85" in the San Francisco Chronicle. Brubeck at 85 still tours and composes. An account of his latest Bay Area visit with some history; it ends with Brubeck telling his audience at the conclusion of the show, "Maybe I'll see you again." Link to the full article below.

"Playing in the South was eye-opening," he said. One of his most memorable experiences took place in 1958, when he appeared at a college in Georgia to perform. Minutes before show time, the dean told him the black bassist "can't go on." So Brubeck shot back: Either the bassist performs or the show's off.

At a North Carolina college that summer, the same thing happened: A dean told Brubeck five minutes before show time, "You can't play with a mixed group."

"After that," Brubeck said, "police would meet us at the airports and escort us to the universities." Refusal to accept the colleges' terms led to 23 cancellations of his 25 shows that summer, costing an estimated $40,000. But Brubeck held strong.

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE ARTICLE