1951
While surfing diving in Hawaii, Dave is seriously injured and damages his spinal cord and several vertebrae in his neck, leaving him with lingering nerve damage in his hands that adjusts his style toward chunky, block-style chords. Upon recovery, Dave unites with Paul Desmond, to form The Dave Brubeck Quartet, along with Bob Bates and Joe Dodge. (Photo: Jack Weeks, Dave and Cal Tjader at the Zebra Lounge, 1951)
1952
March 19, 1952: Third son, Chris Brubeck, born.
1953
November 5, 1953: Only daughter, Catherine Brubeck, born
1954
January 1954: Dave's father, Howard "Pete" Brubeck dies. (Photo: Dave's parents, 1940s)
1954
Dave's popularity inspires a Time magazine cover story
1955
May 4, 1955: Fourth son, Daniel is born
1956
Dave and family move into new home in Oakland Hills, CA
1957
During the Quartet's college tours, Brubeck faces pressure to replace bass player Eugene Wright, who is black, when performing at universities in the South. Brubeck refuses, even in the face of lost ticket sales and canceled performances.
1958
After performing with a variety of musicians, the "classic" Dave Brubeck Quartet is comprised of Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Eugene "Senator" Wright, and Joe Morello. They would go on to make music - and history - together for the next ten years. (Photo: Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Eugene "Senator" Wright, and Joe Morello, 1958)
1958
The Dave Brubeck Quartet travels to Poland, Turkey, India, Ceylon, East and West Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq on the first tour organized by the U.S. State Department to advance the interests of the U.S. through cultural diplomacy. (Photo: Article in an Iran publication, 1958)
1959
Performed with the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Leonard Bernstein, performing "Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra," composted by brother, Howard Brubeck. (Photo: Howard Brubeck, Leonard Bernstein and Dave in New York City, 1959)
1959
The Brubeck Quartet records Time Out, which includes the best-selling jazz single "Take Five." In 2005, the recording is entered into the Library of Congress and is inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame as one of the most significant albums of our time. (Photo: Time Out recording session, 1959)
