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| The Legendary Dave Brubeck Quartet's Recent Date at Vibrato Grill Jazz Last week, the legendary Dave Brubeck Quartet delivered a rare intimate concert at Vibrato Grill Jazz ... Etc. in Bel Air, CA. Hosted by Herb Alpert and Lani Hall Alpert and the Herb Alpert Foundation, the engagement was a fundraiser for the scholarship and outreach programs run by University of the Pacific's world famous Brubeck Institute. The evening also featured a performance by The Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet. "This special event at Vibrato brought together many people sharing a common bond -- a love of jazz and a desire to support its future, " said Herb Alpert. "It gave them the opportunity to indulge in both passions -- to celebrate the great artistry of Dave Brubeck, and to support the Brubeck Institute, a program at the University of the Pacific which, through its Fellowship Program and Summer Jazz Colony, serves to train and nurture the next generation of great jazz artists and innovators." Jazz giant, pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, whose signature jazz works include "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo a la Turk, " serves as Chairman of the Institute, located at the University of the Pacific's Stockton, CA campus. The Brubeck Institute's Fellowship Program is a 1-2 year full scholarship program for five to seven exceptionally gifted jazz students, ages 18-19, who form the Brubeck Institute Ensemble. Curriculum features classes with visiting jazz masters, lessons with Bay Area jazz artists, jazz improvisation and small and big band performances, including outreach concerts to foster community appreciation of jazz. The Institute's Summer Jazz Colony, funded by a grant from the Herb Alpert Foundation, is an annual, weeklong, full scholarship program providing 17 or more of the nation's best young jazz players the opportunity to interact with and learn from jazz masters. The legendary event was appropriately held at a soulful jazz and fine American food establishment Vibrato Grill Jazz ... etc. tucked away in the hills of Bel-Air. Visionary jazz great Herb Alpert long dreamed of opening a fine restaurant that offered both exceptional food and music. Despite his life-long commitment to his art, his initial emphasis for the project was on the food. To pull off the ambitious concept, Alpert teamed up with veteran restaurateurs Bob and Gregg Smith to provide the culinary and operational expertise needed to complement his musical instincts. By pairing the music with eclectic American cuisine, the result is one of the city's most unique nightspots and a feast for all of the senses. The Herb Alpert Foundation, a non-profit, private foundation established in the early 1980's, makes significant annual contributions to a range of programs that support the arts, arts education, youth development, compassion and well-being. Its funding is directed toward projects in which Herb Alpert and Lani Hall Alpert and Foundation President Rona Sebastian play an active role. In their philanthropy, the Alperts actively seek to support areas which they believe have great possibility for bringing young people the tools and wisdom to develop their potential to lead positive, fulfilling lives. Also, given Herb Alpert's lifelong involvement with and love for jazz, much of the Herb Alpert Foundation's funding to the arts has focused on nurturing and strengthening this unique art form. write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |