Biography
An active bass trombonist, Dr. Brubeck has performed, premiered, commissioned, and written several new pieces for the bass trombone. His performance credits include Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, The Bolshoi Ballet Orchestra, Ray Charles, American Ballet Theatre, The Miami City Ballet Orchestra, Larry Elgart, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, and numerous others.
A published author, Brubeck has written a beginning music theory textbook entitled, “A Method to Musical Literacy”; numerous solos for unaccompanied Bass Trombone entitled “Stereograms”; a method for trombone entitled “An Introduction to the Trombone”; and a seminal monograph on the pedagogy of Arnold Jacobs.
Earning his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Miami (Coral Gables), Dr. Brubeck served in the brass department as assistant to Professor Charles Campbell where he taught trombone, coached brass quintet, and co-founded the U.M. trombone choir with Dr. Campbell. He also performed and recorded as bass trombonist in the Concert Jazz Band.
Dr. Brubeck graduated with distinction from Northwestern University (Evanston) where he earned his Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance and Music Education, and his Master of Music in Instrumental Performance with an emphasis in conducting. While at Northwestern, Dr. Brubeck studied trombone with Frank Crisafulli of the Chicago Symphony, and conducting with John P. Paynter and served as a graduate assistant in the department of bands where his duties included coordinating the entire jazz combo program and directing the second jazz ensemble. His other prominent trombone teachers include Dr. Thomas Streeter, Denis Bubert, Charles Stokes, and Arthur Linsner.
An All-American, Dr. Brubeck was selected for an unprecedented three years in a row to participate in the Walt Disney World All-American College Program where he served as a trombonist and band-leader.
Dr. Brubeck maintains a eight-year association with the Florida Youth Orchestra, where he conducts the Symphony Orchestra. For Seven years he was affiliated with the Greater Miami Youth Symphony serving alternately as Music Director, Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Concert Orchestra Conductor, and chamber music coach.
Dr. Brubeck is the son of James and Barbie Brubeck, and resides near Fort Lauderdale, FLorida with his family. He is a distant cousin of the famous jazz legend, pianist, composer, recording artist, and band leader Dave Brubeck.
Dr. David William Brubeck is a Professor of Music at Miami Dade College, where he teaches courses in jazz and classical music, Music Theory, and Applied Trombone.
Under Dr. Brubeck’s direction, The Kendall Campus Jazz Ensemble, has been nationally recognized and helped to educate numerous successful musicians. Often called upon to represent the college, the ensemble played for the presidential campaign visit of John Kerry and John Edwards and on numerous other occasions. The Jazz ensemble has, in recent years, played host to such jazz notables as Ben Monder, Jonathan Kreisberg. Ed Schuller, John Alred, John Fedchock, and Marcus Printup, all of whose visits have incorporated Kendall Campus student interaction and performance with the visiting artists.
The Kendall Campus Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Brubeck continuously for fifteen years, has performed at the Washington Monument and several athletic and community events. Recent guest conductors have included such notables as Dr. Richard Strange and Gary Green. Many of the Kendall Concert Band alumni have ranked rank amongst the top band directors in the county, including such schools as Hialeah High, Killian, Westminster, Glades Middle School, Arvida Middle School, and others.
Dr. Brubeck’s trombone students have garnered numerous prestigious playing positions locally including performances with Willy Chirino, Albita, Cheyenne, and numerous others.