http://kirstincronn-mills.com/?p=428 Longstanding Trust supporters Catherine and Darius Brubeck spent 23 years at the University during an extraordinary period for jazz and the struggle against apartheid. Now their book about their experiences between 1983 and 2006, Playing the Changes, is available in the UK.
It will be of interest to many alumni, especially anyone fortunate enough to have experienced those Brubeck-inspired gigs where black and white musicians explored the wonderful strand of South African jazz together, during a time of political and social tumult.
The Brubecks tell their story with wit, charm and humour, despite the sometimes horrendous circumstances they had to endure. Against the odds, they built a renowned academic centre for jazz music at the University and managed and organized bands, concerts and tours in SA and abroad. The book provides illuminating portraits of many of the characterful musicians and others with whom they worked.
Among the many challenges faced, one that will resonate with Trust donors was trying to find support for needy students on the Jazz Programme. In an article from 1988 in the American Jazz Education Journal, Darius wrote: “Students mostly have no money. Let me be very explicit: I don’t mean ‘not enough money’, I mean NO money.” The Brubecks made extraordinary efforts, including having students stay with them until other accommodation could be found.
Playing the Changes: Jazz at an African University and on the Road can be ordered from good bookshops such as Blackwells and Waterstones, ISBN 978-0-252-08826-1.
For more information, including on a related documentary film, see: dariusbrubeck.com
