Stamford, CT (January 4, 2010) -- The Stamford Center for the Arts is pleased to announce that Dave Brubeck, jazz icon and recent Kennedy Center Honors winner, will perform with The Dave Brubeck Quartet on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at a benefit concert at The Palace Theatre. Mr. Brubeck will receive the 1st Annual Stamford Center for the Arts Legacy Award. Throughout his career, Mr. Brubeck has received national and international honors, including the National Medal of the Arts from President Clinton, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Smithsonian Medal and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On Dec. 6, he received the Kennedy Center Honors at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

A long time resident of Connecticut, Dave Brubeck’s dedication to education has been reflected in his compositions as performed by various choral and instrumental groups in the region and nationally, and his generosity appearing in various benefits for educational causes. He was honored by MENC, The National Association for Music Education, in March of 2000. The University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA established The Brubeck Institute in 2000 to build on Mr. Brubeck’s legacy and dedication to music and education.

“Dave Brubeck’s many contributions to jazz have been recognized for over 50 years nationally and internationally,” said Elissa Getto, Executive Director of SCA. “His legacy to the world of music as a composer and performer, and his continuing leadership and generosity as reflected in The Brubeck Institute at the University of the Pacific and his support of the Stamford Center for the Arts is something we are extremely grateful for, and we feel it’s important to honor his dedication to music and to education.”

The Palace Gala on Thursday, April 29, will feature a Gala Cocktail Party prior to the Brubeck concert with Jazz performer Kelly Mittleman. SCA Trustee, Lynn DiMenna Darien, is The Palace Gala Event Chair. Gala tickets are $150 per ticket and $1,000 for tables for four which include the pre-show cocktail party and The Dave Brubeck Quartet concert. Corporate sponsorship packages and student and group rates are available. Please contact SCA Chief Development Officer Chris Larsen at 203-517-3419 for more information.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet performance will benefit the Summer 2010 Arts Infusion Education Program sponsored by the Stamford Center for the Arts. This summer, SCA is presenting a creative arts and music institute for almost 6,000 of the area's youth. This innovative program will provide engaging lifelong learning opportunities for young people ages 4-18. Students in the program will explore and experience the creative arts, discover and nurture their musical talents and enjoy public performances.

The SCA Summer 2010 Arts Infusion Education Program will be presented at The Palace Theatre in Stamford in July and August. Jim West, Emmy award winning puppeteer and artist, will perform and conduct hands on workshops at The Palace and other Stamford sites. SCA will also present the Music Institute for Talented Young Artists conducted by The Lumina String Quartet. In August, the music institute will include a public performance on The Palace stage by the participants and will award a $2,000 scholarship to one student to pursue his/her musical talent. A scholarship will be awarded in Dave Brubeck's name during the 2010-2011 season through an adjudication process for area youth pursuing a jazz career. While SCA is planning to expand the programming, additional artists and programs will be announced as they are added.

All performances are held at the Stamford Center for the Arts' Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT 06901.

SCA Members may purchase tickets starting Wednesday, January 6, 2010. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, January 20, 2010. Tickets can be purchased at the SCA website, www.scalive.org or charged by phone with major credit cards by calling the SCA Box Office at 203-325-4466. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Palace Theatre box office in downtown Stamford, CT. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 10AM to 6pm.

For additional information (directions, parking) visit the SCA website at www.scalive.org or call 203-325-4466.

About the Stamford Center for the Arts:

The vision of the Stamford Center for the Arts is to be the regional arts center for exciting entertainment that enhances and enriches the cultural, educational, economic, and social life of the community. The SCA strives to achieve this vision by demonstrating integrity in all work and relationships, providing service and quality in all activities, fostering and promoting diversity of thought, ideas and culture, providing stewardship for the Stamford Arts community, emphasizing outreach in our community, and offering creativity in all endeavors. Major funding provided by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. Permalink TrackBack