“Dave Brubeck was one of the most important figures in the history of American jazz and in the history of SPAC’s jazz festival,” said Marcia J. White, SPAC’s president and executive director. “He performed at our festival a record 13 times, a longstanding partnership which reflects his popularity with our festival audience and his special affection for Saratoga.”
“The world has lost a true genius as well as an exceptionally kind, decent and compassionate man. He was a ‘star’ in every sense of the word. It will be our privilege to honor him at this year’s jazz festival,” White added.
An NEA Jazz Master and Kennedy Center Honoree, Dave Brubeck was one of the first jazz performers to employ and integrate jazz and classical elements. His signature album “Time Out” was the first jazz album to sell a million copies and popularized jazz among a wider audience.
Brubeck’s last two appearances at SPAC were in 2006 and 2009. The 2006 appearance was an 85th birthday celebration tour with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. In conjunction with that milestone, he was honored by the New York State Senate for a lifetime of extraordinary achievements in music. He performed again in 2009 as part of a tour celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his groundbreaking album Time Out.
SPAC’s Walk of Fame is a walkway memorializing artists and individuals who have been instrumental in the life and history of the arts center. The walkway currently features stars for Marylou Whitney, Charles Dutoit, George Wein, Chantal Juillet, Philly Dake and Lewis Swyer
Jane Wait Star Dedication
Jane Wait of Saratoga Springs will also be honored with a Walk of Fame Star at the kick-off event for Saratoga 150 on May 24 at SPAC. Jane and her late husband Newman “Pete” Wait helped lead the effort to found SPAC, spearheading a local feasibility committee charged with formulating the original plans for SPAC. Jane was also the first chair of SPAC’s fundraising arm, The Action Council. Jane’s leadership of the Council in those first, early years was credited with helping to raise the funds needed to get the new arts center off the ground.
“Jane Wait was one of the first to recognize the magnificent potential of locating a world-class performing arts center in Saratoga. She and her husband Pete worked tirelessly in those early days to secure private supporters, raise funds and move the idea forward,” said White. “She also founded and chaired SPAC’s Action Council with Philly Dake, a vital committee whose fundraising mission remains integral to SPAC’s future. Jane Wait has been a cherished partner, friend and inspiration to SPAC and the Saratoga Springs community. We look forward to honoring her with a ‘star’ in our Walk of Fame.”
The star dedication ceremony will be the centerpiece of a “Saratoga 150” community-wide celebration on SPAC’s lawn on Friday, May 24. The event, the first of five months of festivities commemorating the birth of thoroughbred racing in Saratoga, will feature an array of entertainment and activities including live music, an old-fashioned picnic supper, youth dance groups, storytellers, magicians and clowns, and more. Special features of the event will include a $1,000 grand prize picnic contest and a fireworks finale.
SPAC and The Wait Family are also at the heart of a second Saratoga 150 event on Thursday, August 8, this time on SPAC’s historic stage. “The Saratoga 150 Fanfare Concert” sponsored by The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will feature The Philadelphia Orchestra’s performance of Serenade, a World Premiere orchestral work by Grammy-winning American composer Richard Danielpour. Commissioned by SPAC and made possible through a generous gift of Saratoga 150 Chair Charles V. Wait and his wife Candace, the premiere is the centerpiece of a spectacular equestrian-themed program which will be led by American conductor Keith Lockhart, famed maestro of the Boston Pops and BBC Concert Orchestras.
SPAC will make a final toast to the racing milestone at the 13th Annual Saratoga Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Festival with a special showcase of anniversary wines, new “mixology” events, a culinary pavilion, a “connoisseur’s tent” and more.
“Saratoga Race Course has been the crown jewel of the racing world for 150 years and a dynamic force that has helped Saratoga grow into a thriving and culturally rich community,” said White. “SPAC is thrilled to have the opportunity to play a key role in these historic festivities.”
