Nov. 6, 2001

Brubeck Shows His Mettle During President’s Night Performance

Jazz Legend Receives President's Medal

The University’s most loyal donors were treated to a high-energy performance from the incomparable Dave Brubeck on Oct. 19 in Lisner Auditorium. President’s Night, held each year since 1989, honors the generosity and support of individuals and organizations such as The George Washington Society, The Luther Rice Society, and The Heritage Society. This year the clamor for invitations to the event exceeded all years.

During the intermission, President Trachtenberg presented the 80-year-old jazz legend with The George Washington University President’s Medal in appreciation of his contribution to music. Brubeck becomes the 40th member of an elite group to receive the award, including president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel, former Israeli Ambassador to the UN and former Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban, former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, and broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite.

The capacity crowd erupted midway through the second set when Brubeck launched into his trademark tune “Take Five,” the first jazz single to sell over one million copies. Among the other works on the night’s play list were “The Journey,” a new piece written in honor of a cruise Brubeck took; “Koto Song,” featuring Japanese scales; and “Some Day My Prince Will Come.” Brubeck preceded the stylized Disney classic by recounting how the recording “Dave Digs Disney” found its way into the hands of many toddlers across the country after parents mistakenly purchased the album thinking they were buying a collection of nursery rhymes.

 

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