Congressman Garamendi Honors Jazz Legend & Contra Costa Native Dave Brubeck on Floor of Congress

Dec 12, 2012 Issues: Education, Military and Veterans, Social Justice

 

 
Click the video above to watch Garamendi's speech in honor of Dave Brubeck
 
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA) spoke on the House Floor in honor of Concord, California native and jazz legend Dave Brubeck. Text of his remarks is included below.
 
Honoring Dave Brubeck
 
Mr. Speaker, today I come to the House floor to celebrate the life of one of California's greatest native sons, the Ambassador of Jazz, Dave Brubeck.
 
The man behind the immortal classics like “Take Five” and “Blue Rondo a la Turk” was born in Concord, California, a city I'm proud to represent.
 
Drafted to serve in General Patton's Army during World War II, he formed the Army's first integrated band. He would later tour with black musicians in Jim Crow South during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, insisting on mixed race quartets and integrated crowds. Because of this courageous stand, 23 out of 25 of his shows were cancelled one summer.
 
"Jazz is the voice of freedom," he said.
 
With suave sophistication, Brubeck would become a leader in the West Coast Cool Jazz scene, putting California on the map.
 
Dave Brubeck performed before presidents, prime ministers, premieres and pontiffs. He was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment of Arts and he was awarded the National Medal of Arts.
 
On a personal note during the 16 years I represented Stockton, Brubeck often came there to help the University of Pacific and many charities.