Drummer Dan Brubeck is the rhythmic force of the DBQ and has toured the international music circuit for more than two decades. He has led his own group, The Dolphins, in addition to performing with the legendary Dave Brubeck Quartet. Dan also plays with the Vancouver-based Dan Brubeck Quartet (DBQ), featuring vocalist/bassist Adam Thomas. The DBQ released Celebrating the Music and Lyrics of Dave and Iola
Brubeck, which showcases his father’s music and little-known lyrics of his mother, was named one of the Top 2015 CDs by Downbeat Magazine and was nominated for a Juno Award for Best Jazz Vocal album. As a featured soloist with many of the world’s top jazz artists, Dan’s original drumming style and use of odd-time signatures have earned him international acclaim. A stylistically versatile musician, he’s toured with acts ranging from The Band and David Benoit to Gerry Mulligan and Paul Desmond. He’s recorded with jazz guitar legend Larry Coryell, singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor, jazz-pop singer Michael Franks, and pioneering blues guitarist Roy Buchanan. Dan and Chris were featured on the Dave Brubeck CD Live with the London Symphony Orchestra. Dan produced and played on Trio Brubeck, a Music Masters CD with Dave & Chris Brubeck which received a GRAMMY® nomination. Dan has appeared on The Today Show, The Tonight Show, The GRAMMY® Awards Show with an all-star jazz group including Dave Brubeck and Christian McBride, BBC specials and the nationally syndicated PBS series Jazz in America. JazzTimes Magazine wrote “Dan will cause your mouth to drop open when you hear him. To call his drum solos exciting is to sell him short, but it is awesome soloing like this that characterize the entire recording.” His original drumming style, distinctive polyrhythmic solos, and use of odd time signatures have earned him standing ovations worldwide, and the respect of the international jazz community.