David Warren Brubeck, known as Dave Brubeck, was an influential American jazz pianist and composer, born on December 6, 1920, in Concord, California, and passed away on December 5, 2012, in Norwalk, Connecticut. He is celebrated for his contributions to the cool jazz movement and his innovative use of unusual time signatures, which became a hallmark of his music.

Brubeck's early education in music began under the tutelage of his mother, and he later studied at the College of the Pacific. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army, where he formed one of the first racially integrated bands. After the war, he furthered his studies in composition under the French composer Darius Milhaud at Mills College and briefly with Arnold Schoenberg.

In 1951, Brubeck formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet, which included saxophonist Paul Desmond. This group became highly influential, particularly with the release of the 1959 album "Time Out," which featured the groundbreaking track "Take Five" by Desmond. The album was notable for its use of complex time signatures and became the first jazz album to sell over a million copies.

Throughout his career, Brubeck was known for blending classical music techniques with jazz, a style that would later be termed "third stream." His work was characterized by polyrhythms and polytonality, and he was a key figure in the West Coast jazz scene. Despite facing some criticism from jazz purists, Brubeck's innovative approach and superb musicianship earned him widespread acclaim.

Brubeck received numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996 and a Kennedy Center Honor in 2009. He was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2008 and received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music in 2009. His legacy endures through his extensive discography and the lasting impact of his contributions to jazz music.