Jazz musician Dave Brubeck receives honorary theology degree

Published: 2004-12-08

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (CNS) -- Renowned jazz musician and composer Dave Brubeck has a new credential to add to his many others -- recipient of an honorary doctorate in sacred theology from the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. While many people would associate Brubeck with famous jazz compositions such as "Take Five," fewer people are aware that he has also written a significant body of sacred music, which he has performed all over the world and continues to do today, even at age 84. In recognition of this aspect of his career, the University of Fribourg gave Brubeck the honorary theology degree during its annual Academic Day Nov. 15. The university is a secular, state-run university, but it is in a predominantly Catholic part of Switzerland and has a pontifical theology faculty. The Dave Brubeck Quartet became well-known in the United States and in Europe during the 1950s and 1960s, composing and performing West Coast cool jazz. The quartet's 1959 album "Time Out" is one of the best-selling jazz albums ever. In 1968, Brubeck tried his hand at composing sacred music. His first creation was a 75-minute oratorio, "The Light in the Wilderness." An oratorio is a composition for voices and instruments that narrates a sacred story. Brubeck's was a meditation on the teachings of Christ, especially the commandment to love one's enemies, a topic inspired by Brubeck's service in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II. Brubeck's interest in sacred music continued, and in 1979, Our Sunday Visitor commissioned him to compose music for a Mass. In the process of this work, which he titled, "To Hope! A Celebration," Brubeck was so moved by the experience -- especially after the music for his "Our Father" came to him in a dream -- that he joined the Catholic Church in 1980.

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