Pianist Dave Brubeck is an American jazz icon and an artistic influence. Having been a panoramic figure on the jazz scene for more than 50 years, he can still hold his own in a genre that is full of ever-evolving trend-setting changes. Brubeck’s latest CD entitled Indian Summer is a continuation of more than 100 album releases that keeps traditional jazz in the mainstream as one of America’s most dynamic musical genres.

Indian Summer is one of many Brubeck varying solo piano releases. Recorded over a period of two days, Dave highlights his inescapable brilliance as one of jazz’s most revered artists. During 16 tracks of exceptional musical voracity, he delivers a melodious message of somber yet dynamic elegance, highlighted by years of intuitively creative thought. When reflecting upon some of the ingredients that made this recording happen, one of the strongest and most compelling was Brubeck having to overcome considerable pain brought on by a leg injury, to work his way through the session. What would have stymied some did not stop the creative flow of his melodic spirit.

By all accounts, Indian Summer combines the elements of traditional jazz with popularized standards and original compositions, highlighted by additional collaborations he wrote with his wife Iola. The infusion of Brubeck melodies such as "Autumn In Our Town," "So Lonely" and "Thank You" with symbolic renditions of "Georgia On My Mind," "I’m Alone," "September Song," "Sweet Lorraine" and other compelling songs runs the gamut of Dave’s ability to forge a path across varying styles of music. With a well-placed sense of strategic musical vision, Indian Summer exemplifies the aesthetic beauty that is seldom heard as "original American art form."

Although Dave Brubeck will always be remembered for his landmark recording "Take Five" from the 1959 album entitled Time Out, his main body of work as an artist and musician has made him a definite influence on American pop culture. As a jazz icon, his contributions to the genre speak for themselves; yet albums such as Indian Summer continue to illuminate the landscape with Brubeck’s sense of originality and purpose. By any form of recognition, Dave Brubeck is a true jazz legend and stands as one of the genre’s finest innovators.