The Brubeck Family statement following Dave’s passing, stated that he specialized in long relationships, including the fact that he had such few changes of personnel in his outstanding quartets throughout his career.

The “Classic Quartet” and Dave’s last quartet were together for close on 10 years. Many of his personnel were with him for years, Paul Desmond, Jack Six, Chris Brubeck, Bobby Militello and longest of all, Randy Jones who enjoyed over 30 years with Dave.

These images detail the various groupings over eight decades.

A poster for Dave's first band ; Stockon, California 1941 (copyright, "Time Signatures" booklet)

The Wolf Pack Army Band. Dave and his Army colleagues, playing for "The Troops" in Europe during WWII,1945.
© Brubeck Family, Wilton Library

The Three D's. Don Ratto, Darrell Cutler, Dave Brubeck with singer Frances Lynne.

Octet - alternative grouping - Dick Collins, Paul, Bill Smith, Bob Cummings, Dick Saltsman, David Van Kriedt, Jack Weeks, Dave, Francis Lynn

The Octet. Bill Smith, Paul Desmond, Dave Van riedt, Cal Tjader, Ron Crotty, Dick Collins, Bob Collins and Dave Brubeck

Frances Lynne, Norman Bates, Paul Desmond and Dave Brubeck, 1949

Jack Weeks Dave Cal Tjader at Zebra Lounge 1951

The Dave Brubeck Quintet. Dick Collins, Cal Tjader, Dave, Paul Desmond and Ron Crotty (Source: "Early Fantasies" booklet, Book Of The Month Club, LP)

Dave Brubeck Trio. Cal Tjader, Ron Crotty and Dave Brubeck
© Brubeck Family, Wilton Library

1951. Paul Desmond, Herb Barman, Dave Brubeck and Wyatt "Bull" Ruther

1952; Paul Desmond, Dave Brubeck, Lloyd Davis and Ron Crotty
© Brubeck Family, Wilton Library

1953. Paul Desmond, Joe Dodge, Dave Brubeck and Ron Crotty (Frank Driggs Collection)

Joe Dodge, Bob Bates, Paul Desmond and Dave Brubeck (Frank Driggs Collection)

1956. Dave Brubeck, Joe Dodge, Norman Bates, Paul Desmond with composer Howard Bruebeck (Dave's brother)

Paul Desmond, Joe Dodge, Dave Brubeck and Norman Bates

Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Joe Morello, Joe Benjamin. Monterey State Fairground,1958.

1958. The Classic Quartet.

The Classic Quartet, 1960's. Paul Desmond, Dave Brubeck, Joe Morello and Eugene Wright

Gerry Mulligan, Dave Brubeck, Alan Dawson and Jack Six

Alan Dawson, Dave Brubeck and Jack Six

Alan Dawson, Gerry Mulligan, Jack Six, Dave Brubeck and Paul Demond

Two Generations of Brubeck: Chris, Dave, Danny and Darius

The Duo: Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, 1975

The Classic Quartet Reunion Tour, 1976. Joe Morello, Eugene Wright, Paul Desmond and Dave Brubeck

Chris Brubeck, Butch Miles, Jerry Bergonzi and Dave Brubeck

Chris & Danny Brubeck with Dave

Chris Brubeck, Randy Jones, Russell Gloyd (Dave's manager), Jerry Bergonzi and Dave Brubeck.

Randy Jones, Jack Six, Bill Smith and Dave Brubeck after performing at Duisburg University, 1994.

Randy Jones, Chris Brubeck, Jack Six and Dave Brubeck.

Alec Dankworth, Randy Jones, Bobby Militello and Dave Brubeck, 2000, Germany

Dave's last great Quartet; Bobby Militello, Randy Jones, Michael Moore and Dave