This article from The Witness, a South African paper, is re-posted here because the Rainbow was such an important part of the jazz-and-politics scene and my life in Durban. The list of musicians who performed there is interesting too.
My first concert in 2011 was in Munich where I played with the Bach Collegium small orchestra conducted by Russell Gloyd (Dave Brubeck's conductor/producer/manager) and Dave's rhythm section, Michael Moore, bass and Randy Jones, drums, plus Michael Pedicin who played with Dave in the early 80s.
In the game of musical chairs that is the jazz poll, the Brubeck Quartet has scored an unprecedented feat of restoration by retaking the coveted category--57 years after it was first voted the top small group...
Arena – Dave Brubeck: In His Own Sweet Way
Friday 3 December
Arena – Dave Brubeck: In His Own Sweet Way
Time to be confirmed BBC FOUR
Arena profiles jazz legend Dave Brubeck who is now in his 90th year. This is the third in a trilogy of films co-produced by Arena with Clint Eastwood; the others were Tony Bennett – The Music Never Ends (2008) and Johnny Mercer – The Dream's On Me (2010).
Dave Brubeck – In His Own Sweet Way tells the story of a living genius.
THREE sons are celebrating the music of their legendary father – jazz icon Dave Brubeck, who is in his 90
th year – Their 11-stop tour across the UK begins in Liverpool and the talented trio – with Darius on piano, Chris on bass and trombone, and Dan, on drums – will be performing Brubeck originals and standard tunes as well as their own compositions.
They support South Africa, Italy, the USA, Brazil, Portugal and Argentina and their music reflects this diversity. The band performs original compositions as well as international standards and South African jazz.
Reporting on our 4-day visit to the USA capital which included a formal Kennedy Centre lunch, a State Department dinner, a Champagne brunch at the 5 Star Mandarin Oriental Hotel where we were staying, the 4 hour Gala honoring the 5 awardees, namely Mel Brooks, Robert De Niro, Grace Bumbry, Bruce Springsteen and Dave, an after the show sit-down dinner with great band ala old Broadway movies and finally a 1 am party back at our hotel hosted by Amnesty International patrons, Sting and Bruce Springsteen. Yes, we met them all, over and over and, simply put, they were all very, very nice. However my desert-island choice is definitely De Niro. Very real, very cool, very friendly and very helpful to Dave whose 89th birthday was celebrated by thousands at the Gala and by a Brubeck family table at the Gala supper and then...
There's something hugely inviting about the mellifluous and tuneful style of this offering... that skilfully juggles African lilt, Latin frisson and welcoming modern-to-mainstream arrangements.
New album from the celebrated jazz pianist and his acclaimed band... The evening was in full swing from the off, with the quartet playing to a packed house. The set opened with the sun-flooded sound of South African jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahims' beautiful Tsakwe and included a swoonsome rendition of For Lydia,...